International perspectives in higher education
Qualifying course for teachers in higher education, 2 weeks
(Internationella perspektiv i högre utbildning)
1 GENERAL INFORMATION
Örebro University’s courses in academic development have been developed in accordance with recommendations adopted on April 14, 2016 by the Association of Swedish Higher Education (SUHF) regarding the scope, objectives and eligibility for professional university teacher training in order to facilitate the mutual recognition of courses between institutions. The courses are offered as competence development for faculty members.
During the course, participants work toward the following goals from SUHF for eligibility for teaching higher education:
The participant shall demonstrate the ability to
- discuss and problematize student learning in the participant’s own subject area, on the basis of research in educational sciences and/or subject didactics of relevance for teaching in higher education,
- independently and together with others plan, implement and evaluate teaching and assessment in higher education with a scientific, scholarly or artistic basis and within their own area of knowledge,
- make use of, and assist in the development of, physical and digital learning environments to promote learning for groups and for individuals,
- reflect on their professional approach to academic teaching and their relationship with the students, and also towards the fundamental values of higher education, such as democracy, internationalization, gender equality, equal opportunities and sustainability,
- collect, analyze and communicate their own and others’ experiences of teaching and learning practices, and relevant outcomes of research, as a basis for the development of educational practice and of the academic profession.
2 ABOUT THE COURSE
The International perspectives in higher education course equals 80 working hours or two weeks of full-time study, as decided by the director of the Centre for Academic Development on October 14, 2024 and revised October 14, 2025.
2.1 Intended course learning outcomes
After completing the course, participants should be able to
- explain how different educational perspectives influence teaching and learning in an international context,
- discuss how the different topics of the course are performed and developed in teaching within an international educational context, and
- use new insights from the international educational context to develop their own teaching practice.
2.2. Course content
In the International perspectives in higher education course, participants work with academic development focused on teaching and student learning in an international perspective. The course will be given within the NEOLAIA alliance and participants mainly come from universities within the NEOLIAIA alliance. This brings together teachers and makes an opportunity for international learning and sharing of experiences.
2.3. Learning format
The course is a Blended Intense Program (BIP) which means that it includes both digital and onsite activities. The course includes 5 digital webinars and is planned to end with an onsite week (5 days). The teaching methods used are both digital and onsite presentations, seminars, workshops, reflections and discussions. Learning activities are done individually (preparatory), in smaller work groups and in the group as a whole. Course material and course information are published on a jointly used learning platform.
2.4 Attendance requirements
As the collegial exchange of experiences and knowledge is an important element of the course, a high level of attendance is required. In the case of absence, participants are asked to contact the course convenor for a discussion about how the learning activity can be carried out or the course content obtained in another way. The onsite week is mandatory but if there are acceptable reasons for not attending you will get an individual plan for fulfilling the course. If the attendance rate is lower than 80 % on the digital webinars, the participant must retake the course.
2.5 Examination
The course is examined with individual and group presentations and pedagogical reflection assignments.
The course is examined with the grading scale U (failed) or G (pass). In case of a failed result the participant has the right to re-examination during a period of two years after the end of the course. In case of absence from the examination seminar, the participant will have the opportunity to prepare and participate in an examination seminar during a subsequent semester, unless an equivalent examination group can be assembled.
2.6 Reading list
The literature will be presented at the learning platform before the course starts.
2.7 Course certificate
A course certificate will be issued after satisfactory completion of the course.
3 PRIOR ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for this course, participants need a university degree of at least three years of full-time study.
Read the Course Plan as a pdf document.
