Responding to the challenges of internationalisation in an environment of change

Sheffield Hallam University is a middle ranking University with a strong strategic focus on vocationally relevant courses. The University is also committed to developing a variety of international markets and business opportunities, notably in China, the Far East and India as well as North America and the EU. This includes recruiting large numbers of international students to study mainly at post graduate level in the UK. The University context reflects much of the literature relating to teaching international students which focuses on 'managerialist' issues such as what is done to the learner (Taylor, 1996; Altbach, 2007). However, the change in student's cultural profile brings many opportunities and challenges for the University at all levels as it seeks to engage with its employability agenda. The presentation will demonstrate how a number of research studies (some of which are on-going) have provided a growing evidence base to influence and inform University policy and practice at different levels.