The Certificate for International Education Professionals

The Certificate for International Education Professionals

UKCISA works with the University of Nottingham School of Education to offer a programme based on UKCISA's training courses and leading to a Certificate of the University of Nottingham School of Education. It aims to address the professional development needs of staff who advise international students, particularly to ensure those starting out in this line of work can develop both depth and breadth of knowledge of key topics. To complete the Certificate you must attend seven of UKCISA's training events, covering six key topics:

1. Basic immigration - students
2. Framework for fees (HE or FE or Scotland) plus Residence requirements (for fees)
3. Funding, hardship and managing money
4. Basic advisory skills
5. Introduction to recruitment and marketing
6. Introduction to cultural awareness and sensitivity

In exceptional cases students may be exempted from attending a course on the basis of prior qualifications - contact us if you wish to explore this option.

Assessment

In addition to attending the courses, you will be expected, for each topic, to read specified materials and satisfactorily complete a written assignment within a specified period. You will need to spend about 30 hours on each topic, including attendance at the course, private study and completing the written assignment. The Certificate requirements must be completed within three years.

Award

Students who satisfy the requirements will receive the Certificate for International Education Professionals, awarded by the University of Nottingham. The Certificate is a Continuing Professional Development award. Since it does not test competencies it cannot be compared to an NVQ, and as it a test of knowledge rather than an academic qualification, it cannot be assigned to a level within the national qualifications framework for higher education. Its purpose is to demonstrate that those who hold it have not only attended, but also understood the six key topics covering the main areas of knowledge relevant to staff working with international students. Students who achieve a sufficient standard in their assessments may be awarded a pass with distinction.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for the Certificate, but if you are intending to enrol, please note the following. Certificate students should normally be working in international education and may be required to use their own workplace experience as case-study material in assignments. Assignments will require a good standard of written English and familiarity with essay writing techniques. Assistance with study skills is not available within the programme.

Enrolment

You can enrol for the Certificate by using the enrolment form. You will be expected to complete all course requirements within three years from the date of your enrolment.

Cost

We have made every effort to make the Certificate accessible and affordable, and believe that it represents good value for money for member organisations. In addition to paying the standard fee to attend each training event (which is given in the course descriptions), there is an assessment fee for each compulsory course to cover the costs of validation, assessment and administration. The assessment fee for 2007-2008 is £75 per course. As you will be charged the fees at the time that you register for each course, the cost can be spread over three years, the maximum period allowed to complete the Certificate requirements. Additional charges will apply to those who are not employed by UKCISA member organisations. Please contact us for details.

Credit for prior course attendance

The attendance requirement for any compulsory course is satisfied if the student has attended that course within the three year period before the date of enrolment in the Certificate programme. You must claim attendance credit at the time of enrolment. You will still need to complete the course's reading and written assignments, and the assessment fee of £75 will apply.

Steve Sharples Prize

An award will be made annually to the best student completing the course in that year.

Further information

If you have any questions about the Certificate programme, please contact:

The Training Administrator
UK Council for International Student Affairs
9-17 St Albans Place
London N1 0NX
Tel: 020 7288 4330
Fax: 020 7288 4360
Email: training@ukcisa.org.uk