Abstract:

Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) and Shanghai Normal University (SNU) have established a joint undergraduate programme in Civil Engineering. The programme was launched in 2007. The dual-award programme is fully accredited by the Professional Body for Civil Engineering in the UK (the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE)) and is approved by the Ministry of Education in China. Such professional accreditation enables graduates of the programmes to practice as fully qualified civil engineers in China, in the UK and in many other countries in the world where the ICE accreditation is recognised.

The four year long programme enables graduates to achieve the award BSc (Honours) Civil Engineering. Students study Years 1 – 3 in Shanghai and then transfer to Edinburgh for Year 4. In total, more than one-third of the entire professional or technical course is taught in English. To enable this, staff from Edinburgh Napier University teach in Shanghai during Years 2 and 3. In this way, the students start to appreciate the significance of the English language throughout their studies, and naturally gain knowledge of the technical subjects in a truly international manner. Modules in structural mechanics, geotechnical engineering, structural design, structural analysis and project management are delivered and assessed in English in 2-week long blocks. Students wishing to progress to Year 4 in Edinburgh must achieve an IELTS score of 6.0 or more. This is readily achievable by most students having studied these modules in English in Shanghai. Students choosing not to study Year 4 in Edinburgh can instead study Year 4 in Shanghai where additional modules (Water Engineering, Highway Engineering and Railway Engineering) are delivered by Edinburgh Napier University staff.

Students studying in Edinburgh experience a truly international dimension to their studies. Mixing with students of many other (mainly European) nationalities gives the Chinese students a real international experience. Living, studying and working in Edinburgh is very rewarding for the students and many choose to continue their studies to Masters level following completion of the BSc. Session 2011-12 saw the second complete cohort of students graduate from Edinburgh Napier University, thus marking the 5 year anniversary of the commencement of the programme. This paper describes the structure of the joint programme, the mode by which it operates and the great opportunities that exist for all students enrolled on the programme.

Keywords:

Civil engineering, undergraduate, internationalisation.