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Index: Student Profile The Programme Objectives Awards
Student Profile
A very special type of student is required for this type of programme. Students must be ready to accept the challenge of tackling new subjects in the two countries they visit. This will mean they will have to put in significant time working on their own or under the supervision of the Triple Qualification Tutor to prepare themselves to deal with economic, business and legal terminology in the second and third years whilst they are studying at the two European institutions. In addition, some of the second year work which underpins the final year will have to be covered in Semester 2 of the first year.
The typical student on the programme will be independent and adventurous. They have to survive living away from home for not only one but for two years.
Because the programme is very tough, students who succeed on it are in their nature very determined people who respond to a challenge and go for the personal reward of knowing that they have not taken the easy option.
The Programme
The triple qualification programme enables students to gain three distinct European qualifications through study at each of three partner institutions. The three curricula are harmonized so that students progress naturally between countries and levels.
Objectives
Students develop and improve oral/aural and written skills to a high level of fluency, accuracy and confidence in two foreign languages. The opportunity to gain insight and understanding of the social, cultural and political context of the two target language countries is an important aspect of the programme. Fifty percent of the course is spent overseas. Students also become more aware of differing cultural, educational and business practices in operation in the different countries they visit. This in its turn assists the students in becoming more flexible and open-minded enabling them to feel at ease in a fast-moving context such as that in evidence in the world of work today. Moreover, students become able to undertake independent analysis and make relevant evaluation of situations, since ability to make cross-cultural comparisons is heightened as students progress through the programme and attend the three institutions.
This is high-profile and stimulating but it is also hard work. Some second year TQ students who have been used to top marks in the British system find it a shock when very few of the cohort pass the exam in particular subjects first time around and they may even find themselves needing to retrieve in one or two subjects.
Awards
Students completing the programme are awarded Maîtrise/L.E.A. from the French university, a BA from the British university, a Diplom from the German university or a Licenciatura from the Spanish university. This obviously gives them a competitive edge in the market place following graduation.
Dr. Lesley Twomey, 1999
University of Northumbria at Newcastle