MA Comparative European Social Studies

Transcription

1 Off Campus Provision of London Metropolitan University Zuyd University of Applied Sciences MA Comparative European Social Studies Course Handbook

2 Contents Chapter Title Page No. 1. Welcome to the MA Comparative European Social Studies 4 2. Study on a London Metropolitan University award (a) Key Features of Postgraduate Courses 8 3. London Metropolitan University and its links with Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (a) The course 10 (b) Further opportunity of study 10 (c) London Metropolitan University s Academic Regulations Studying at Postgraduate Level (a) Attendance and employment 12 (b) Studying 12 (c) Mobile phones 12 (d) Enrolment and re-enrolment 12 (e) Welcome Programme 13 (f) Your first semester 13 (g) Credit for previous learning 14 (h) Assessment 14 (i) A two-way contract Communication (a) Contacting staff 15 (b) Contacting London metropolitan University staff 15 (c) Course Committee terms of reference and membership 16 (d) Feedback from students on modules and courses 16 (e) Complaints 16 (f) Module/Award results and transcripts 17 (g) Travel Arrangements and Erasmus grants Sources of, and access to, information and advice (a) (b) Information and Advice during your time on MACESS Course Directors (c) Management of your course 18 (d) Institutional and course administration 19 (e) Learning support 19 (f) Pastoral support 19 (g) Disabilities and dyslexia support 19 (h) Careers Service

3 (i) (j) (k) (l) (m) (n) (o) (p) (q) (r) Fees Books Housing Catering Sports and Culture Childcare information Career Choices Employment opportunities while you are studying Visa and Identity Card Maastricht City Information Course specification Module details Course timetable (a) Timetable & calendar Marking and Assessment (a) Marking and grades 32 (b) Your rights concerning Assessment 33 (c) Your responsibilities concerning Assessment 33 (d) Handing in Assessments 33 (e) Examination timetable 34 (f) Mitigating circumstances 34 (g) Publication of results 34 (h) Action in the event of failure 34 (i) (j) Academic Misconduct cheating, plagiarism and collusion Appeals against decisions of Assessment Board 11. Study resources and facilities (a) Library 39 (b) Computers and IT 39 (c) London Metropolitan University access 40 (d) Web-based resources Academic Regulations Useful information Directory of modules for the course Glossary of key words 52 A. Section 10.4 of the University s Academic Regulations

4 1. Welcome to the MA Comparative European Social Studies This is the Course Handbook for the MA Comparative European Social Studies (MACESS). All the staff on the MACESS course team warmly welcomes you to Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. THE LOCATION City of Maastricht The Netherlands, one of the six founding members of the European Community, has a population of approximately 16 million people. The small country is bordered by the North Sea in the North and West, Germany in the East and Belgium in the South. The capital is Amsterdam and the seat of the government is in The Hague. Maastricht, with a population of approximately 118,000 inhabitants, is situated in the southernmost tip of The Netherlands, some 200-km from Amsterdam, only 5 km from the border with Belgium and 40 km from Germany. Cities like Brussels, Cologne and Bonn are only about 100 km from Maastricht, while Amsterdam, Luxembourg, Frankfurt and Paris are all within easy reach. Maastricht acts as a 'crossroads' to the surrounding so-called Euregion Meuse-Rhine and is easily accessible by road and rail from the neighbouring countries of Belgium and Germany. The small but international airport serves as a link to several other European countries. Maastricht is the oldest and, with its wealth of historic buildings, one of the most attractive cities in The Netherlands. The history of Maastricht goes back to ca. 50 BC, when the Romans built a settlement by the main road, near a ford in the river. The city's name is derived from the Latin 'Mosae Trajectum', the site where the Meuse could be crossed. Maastricht has had to withstand many sieges; because of the Meuse crossing, it was an important town strategically, and Dutch, Spanish and French armies frequently attacked Maastricht. During 1795 the occupying French forces took drastic measures, making Maastricht the capital of a French province. After Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo, Belgium and The Netherlands became a United Kingdom. In 1839 the two countries went their own separate ways. Maastricht remained a Dutch city. In 1991 Maastricht gained international fame as the host of the European Summit where the 'Treaty of Maastricht' was adopted as the formal foundation of the European Union. Zuyd University of Applied Science Zuyd University of Applied Science one of the largest universities of higher professional education in the Netherlands with 52 different study programmes offered at a full and parttime basis and at both a bachelor and master level. The study programmes span a full range of professional areas such as economics, social work, health studies, education, technical studies and art. Its three campuses in Maastricht, Heerlen and Sittard are in the Province of Limburg and offer students significant (EU) regional and (inter) national labour market opportunities. Currently, there are about 13,000 students and 1,550 employees at the University. Mission Statement of the Zuyd University of Applied Science Zuyd University of Applied Science is a knowledge enterprise. It designs inspiring student focused learning processes for initial and post initial higher professional education.

5 Its study options are many-faceted, both in content and format. In its nationally and internationally oriented professional courses the University emphasizes the aspects of quality and innovation. Zuyd University of Applied Science has a vital function in the development of knowledge and culture in her environment -The Euregion. It conducts applied research and develops and disseminates expertise. It functions within social networks and participates in cultural activities for various target groups. The University is a flexible organisation with a focus on people. It is inventive in originating ideas and effective in achieving measurable targets. BA Department of Social Work Zuyd University of Applied Science has about 1800 students in 3 social work education programmes that lead to a 4-year Bachelor degree. The programmes represent the main areas of social work in the Netherlands namely: traditional social work, social pedagogical work, creative therapy, community work, social advocacy services and personnel and labour management. While recognising the significant changes occurring in social professional education in the Netherlands the Zuyd University study programmes for social work are designed in a project and competence based manner. The departments have deep-rooted cooperation links with working field institutions, such as social services for children, youngsters, adults and elderly MA Comparative European Social Studies (MACESS) (Information is regularly updated for current students and alumni on ) Zuyd University of Applied Science and the London Metropolitan University, in co-operation with an extended network of various universities and colleges all over Europe offer this MA. It is intended for graduate social professionals (social workers, social pedagogues, care workers etc.) and offers the opportunity to conduct a comparative study and research in the field of social professional practice and/or social policy within a European context. Successful completion of the course is awarded by an English MA degree. The programme is designed for graduate students from the variety of social professions and applied social studies in the wider Europe and beyond who have the appropriate language, academic and professional skills and knowledge to succeed with the programme assessment tasks. Students are eligible to attend on a full-time or part-time basis. Students are welcomed from countries of the wider Europe, recruited and nominated through the MACESS website and the network. The main focus is to enable students to develop a scientific basis for the professional application of their knowledge and understanding of skills in theory and methods of social professional work in a European perspective. They are introduced to the main European institutions and organisations, as well as in the discussions on a European level on social professional work. Topics include, new trends, projects, policy-making, with a focus on comparison, transfer and implementation from a local (or national) to a European level, or vice versa: researching the possibilities of implementation of EU initiatives at local level. The curriculum compares different social systems on a local, regional, national and European level. Students must formulate proposals for implementation and change in social institutions at these levels and develop plans for building networks of co-operation in an international or European context. Career Opportunities / enhancements

6 People vary in age and experience and have a wide variety of different professional and academic qualifications when applying to the MACESS programme and this will obviously inform their different career choices. For example, people coming to the programme immediately after completing their qualifying bachelor in the social professions may want to use their MACESS award to help secure a position in professional practice in order to gain experience and expertise in a particular social field; people coming to the programme with considerable experience may use their MACESS qualification to change direction in their profession or to seek promotion. MACESS alumni have been successful in gaining positions in the following areas: - Lecturers in universities - Directors and managers of both small and large organizations in the social area - Senior practitioners at the frontline of health and social care practice - Researchers and authors - Consultants - Policy advisors to governments and organizations See for further details Research Centre Comparative European Social Research and Theory (CESRT) CESRT is a centre of expertise of Zuyd University of Applied Science that was established to promote applied research in higher professional education. CESRT is designed to deepen current social work education programmes, to professionalise teachers and to enhance social professional practice. The development and application of research and theory in social work education and practice is approached from a comparative and European context. The approach is based on the conviction that globalisation affects both the education and the profession of social work. The processes of social inclusion and integration are central in CESRT. They encompass notions of participation and accessibility to society s main institutions and traditions, e.g., education, health care, work, leisure, social services, public services and human rights. They echo the consequences of the shifts in responsibilities between the state, the market and civil society. They symbolize the risks of insecurity and uncertainty for many people in today s society. On the whole, the processes of social exclusion and inclusion contain challenges shared throughout Europe and have a direct impact on social work educators and practitioners. CESRT s main objectives are to conduct comparative European research that enables social work educators and practitioners to master their profession in a learning and information society; to improve the theoretical basis of education programmes through the application of research and theoretical models in curricula; to promote an integrative approach to social work education and practice through cooperation with relevant local, regional, national and international stakeholders, i.e., working field organisations, government entities, private enterprises, etc., and lastly, to disseminate skills and knowledge by organising and contributing to events, publications and projects. There is a considerable amount of information contained in this Handbook, some of which will be of greater relevance to you as you work through the course than it is at the start of your course of studies at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.

7 We recommend that you read this Course Handbook through carefully now in order to save yourself time. Keep it safely: you will need to use it through your course. The answers to most of the questions you will want to ask about your Course are in here. You should note that, occasionally, in order to improve the Course, the details in this Handbook may be amended or revised.

8 2. Study on a London Metropolitan University award (a) Key Features of Postgraduate Courses The details of your course curriculum and structure are set out in the Course Specification (see Section 7) and you should study this closely. Many of its features are defined by the Postgraduate Regulatory Framework, (section 4 of the University s Academic Regulations): this sets out a number of general features which are common to almost all Masters courses (with a very small number of exceptions). (i) The standard Masters award has a total credit point value of 180 credits at level M. This represents a total volume of 1800 notional learning hours associated with the award, where 1 credit is equivalent to 10 learning hours. For full-time students starting in the Autumn term, a Masters programme is taught over a 48-week full-time year, approximating to 40 hours a week and indicative of the typical workload of a full-time postgraduate course. On courses offering February entry, full-time entrants starting in the spring term have a similar workload but distributed over a longer study period of some 16 months, with completion normally at the end of the following spring semester. For part-time students the overall workload is equivalent, but the learning hours are distributed over a longer period of study, normally at least two years. (ii) Your Masters course will normally divide between a total of 120 credits for the taught elements and 60 credits for the Dissertation or Project. Most postgraduate modules are equivalent to 20 credits, although precise values on specific courses may vary - the credit values attaching to your modules are indicated in the course specification. Typically on a fulltime programme you will study modules equivalent to 60 credits (normally 3 modules) at any one time in a given semester. Generally you will have 15 weeks of teaching, revision and assessment activities for each module in the semester. (iii) On most courses, the taught elements consist mainly of core modules which are compulsory for you to study; your course may also include modules which are designate, which means the module can be chosen from a designated list of modules, or elective, which means the module can be chosen freely from a University-wide range of modules available at postgraduate level (M). (iv) The proportion of credit (one third) associated with the dissertation/project and its contribution to your final award is indicative of its importance within a Masters programme, as evidence of your mastery of your chosen subject area at an advanced level. (v) As preparation for work on the dissertation/project, a core element of your taught programme (normally a separate module) will be concerned with issues of research methodology, project development and practice, and related issues. (vi) All taught modules and the dissertation/project modules are marked on a percentage scale, with a pass/fail threshold of 50%. (vii) Based on the final aggregate average percentage result, the overall Masters award may be graded Masters (50-64%), Masters with Merit (65 69%), or Masters with Distinction (70% plus). (viii) In addition to the Masters award, all postgraduate courses normally offer the subsidiary awards of Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma. The full list of awards and their requirements in terms of credit points and modules passed at level M is as follows:

9 Award Credits at level M Modules Required Masters 180 credits 6 modules + dissertation Postgraduate Diploma 120 credits 6 modules Postgraduate Certificate 60 credits 3 modules The Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma awards offer the opportunity to obtain a postgraduate qualification if you are unable to complete the full programme of study leading to a University Masters award. They are particularly useful for students in certain circumstances, for example when a student finds they have to curtail their postgraduate studies unexpectedly, for personal or employment reasons, or who find that their aims and ambitions change and they wish to take a different direction. The Postgraduate Certificate and Diploma are available with Merit or with Distinction grades. For most students, of course, your goal will be to achieve the full Masters qualification. The MACESS Course Team wishes you every success in achieving this ambition and hopes that you have an intellectually stimulating and personally rewarding time as a postgraduate student at Zuyd University of Applied Sciences.

10 3. London Metropolitan University and its links with Zuyd University of Applied Science Introduction Students on courses that have been validated by, or are franchises of, London Metropolitan University, are registered with the University and will receive an award of the University. The University accepts responsibility for the quality assurance of these courses and employs a number of mechanisms to ensure quality, namely: course validation and review; the employment of an external examiner; annual course monitoring; assessment boards and most importantly, good communication between the two institutions. The University and your institution sign a Memorandum of Agreement (a type of contract) whereby each agrees the remit of the collaboration and in so doing, the University devolves responsibility for the delivery of the course to Zuyd University of Applied Science. (a) The course This course is validated by London Metropolitan University. This means that by successfully completing all parts of the course you will receive a London Metropolitan award and may, if you wish, attend the University s Awards Ceremony, normally held at the Barbican in London in December. If you do not complete the course, you will be awarded credit for the parts of the course you have passed. If you have accumulated enough credit you may be entitled to an alternative award. For further information please refer to the London Metropolitan University Academic Regulations at: (b) Further opportunity of study MACESS Alumni have gone on to study a variety of academic and professional programmes in their own country, depending on their previous qualifications and experience. As MACESS is a UK Master degree, Alumni can, if they wish, apply to undertake Doctoral study in UK and other countries. There are broadly two main routes available for study towards a Doctorate at London Metropolitan University: MPhil/PhD Professional Doctorate International Social Work Details about both programmes can be found on (c) London Metropolitan University s Academic Regulations The University s Academic Regulations are available to students on the website shown above. It is also particularly important that you familiarise yourself with the Postgraduate Regulatory Framework (Section 4 of the Academic Regulations) and the Procedures for the submission of Appeals against decisions of Assessment Boards (See Appendix A).

11 The Academic Regulations governing your course have been determined by your Higher Education Institution and will have been considered by the University as part of its validation of your course. However, the expectation is that they will not differ from the University s regulations to the extent that it will be easier or harder for you to complete your award than it is for University-based students. Where regulations differ, it is because they have been adapted to suit the subject discipline or the organisation in which the teaching and assessment takes place.

12 4. Studying at Postgraduate Level (a) Attendance and employment Your success on your course depends upon full and regular attendance at all classes seminars, lectures, workshops, tutorials etc. You should inform your module convenor or Course Director as soon as possible if you have problems with attendance. The University recognises the importance of attendance and its correlation in assisting students to achieve their learning potential. Experience has shown that students who do not attend all their classes have a very high risk of failure. We recognise that you may need to undertake parttime work, but we strongly advise you not to take employment of more than 15 hours a week if you are a full time student. Should you need to take employment of more than 15 hours per week we recommend you register as a part time student. A full time student is expected to follow their timetable and negotiate work times with the employer. (b) Studying Your course will provide you with constant opportunities to learn new skills and acquire knowledge in your chosen subject areas. You must attend all your timetabled classes that normally include a lecture and a session in a smaller group for each module. You also need to study in your own time and you should plan to spend ten hours a week on each module, making a forty-hour week commitment for a full-time student. You need to allocate this time in your diary. Prepare for lectures and tutorials by doing any reading or exercises in advance. Always make some notes there is usually a handout provided. Review these after the class and ask your tutor if there is anything you do not understand. Note assignment deadlines and exam dates in your diary and remember to begin assignments early. It is the your responsibility to familiarise yourself and comply with all of the relevant assessment deadlines. You will enjoy researching and planning your work if you allow yourself plenty of time. Make sure you understand what you need to do and plan how you are going to tackle it. Seek advice from the module leader if there is anything that needs clarification. In summary: plan your learning strategy allocate enough time attend all of your module lectures, tutorials and other sessions start assignments well in advance be aware of and comply with all assessment deadlines seek advice and help use the learning resources offered enjoy the learning experience! (c) Mobile phones Mobile phones are disruptive. classes. Please switch off your mobile phone before entering all (d) Enrolment and re-enrolment

13 By now you will have enrolled with Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, your qualifications will have been checked and you have proved who you are. The year s tuition fees have been established and you have agreed how and when the fees are paid. By signing the enrolment form you confirmed that you accept and will follow the University s regulations. At enrolment you receive your University ID card and other useful documentation. Each card is set with an expiry date when you enrol, usually the beginning of the next academic year. If you have not been able to fulfil all the requirements then an earlier expiry date is set. You will always be told what you need to do to complete your enrolment. If you are progressing satisfactorily on a part-time course, re-enrolment takes place at the start of each academic year. It involves you confirming that you are planning to study on your course in the coming academic year and is the point at which tuition fee arrangements for the year are confirmed. Re-enrolment is necessary to ensure that your ID card is reactivated for the new academic year. (e) Welcome Programme The Welcome Programme will help you familiarise yourself with Zuyd University of Applied Science and your course. You will meet staff from your Department responsible for your course, as well as your fellow students. You will find out when and where teaching takes place and where your main learning centre and IT facilities are located. The Welcome Programme will also include social events plan to attend these as you will meet students and staff in a more relaxed atmosphere and you can join clubs and societies for sport and other leisure activities. During the Welcome Programme you should check that you have received the following: the University Student Handbook an ID card an address a programme of studies a personal timetable and assessment schedule a library card the location of your Department Office the names and functions of your Course Directors Information on the Brusselseweg Building Opening hours are from Monday through Friday from 08.00h till 20.00h. On Fridays the building closes at h. The computer facilities are available for students during opening hours. Students are expected to keep the building presentable and not to consume refreshments (except in the canteen), nor to smoke. Parking places are available for cars (paid) and bikes (unguarded). The University is not responsible for possible loss or damage. A chip card can be up rated through a personal bank account number and can be used to photocopy or to buy office supplies in "Verkoopbureau", room nr. BR.b.01. A public telephone is available and students can buy a telephone card at the Verkoopbureau. (f) Your first semester After your welcome, you will find yourself in the first week of formal teaching, where you will meet the module convenor, who will often be giving the main lecture for the module. You

14 need to plan your time carefully. Attend all your classes as shown on your personal timetable and schedule the extra study time you will need outside the classroom. Note the deadlines for all assessments in your diary. During the first semester you will meet your Course Director and research module convenor to discuss your academic planning and to programme your studies for the second semester, where you can choose some of your course modules. (g) Credit for previous learning Mature students (over 21 on entry) often have previous experience or qualifications. If you have any qualification that may exempt you from part of your course, for example from another college, you may apply for Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL). Similarly, if you have undertaken work, paid or voluntary, that has resulted in learning skills or knowledge that is equivalent to modules you will be studying here, you may apply for Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Collectively these are known as APL and it means you do not have to duplicate study you have done previously. It does not necessarily have to be in your chosen subject, but it must be at the same level as your course of studies here. If you wish to claim for APL please contact your Course Director (Academic). (h) Assessment Undertaking academic study at postgraduate level may be a new and very different way of studying from your previous experience. A crucial aspect of this learning involves assessment. Successful completion of the various coursework assessments and examinations will be crucial to your achievement of your award at the end of your course. There are various types of assessment on the modules you will take as part of your course. Modules will often involve a combination of examination and coursework as part of the assessment. It is important that you understand clearly the various expectations and the deadlines for these forms of assessment. (i) A two-way contract As a student you should: follow the regulations as you agreed at enrolment attend all the classes on your timetable adhere to deadlines provide documentation when requested look at your College and the College website, regularly register your module choices after advice and on time Zuyd University of Applied Sciences will: monitor its standards and procedures to provide a quality service ensure that every student is treated with equity and fairness provide access to administrative areas at agreed times answer queries and provide timely, accurate and clear information

15 5. Communication We will do our best to keep you informed of what you need to know at all times, by mail, e- mail, oral information and through Blackboard. (a) Contacting staff Zuyd University of Applied Science / MACESS: Location: Brusselseweg 150, 6217 HB Maastricht tel: (043) ; fax: (043) , Course Director (Academic): Luitgaarden, van de Guido; room Br.2.16; tel: (043) G.van.de.Luitgaarden@hszuyd.nl Course Director (Operations): Berg van den, Anne; room Br.2.16; tel: (043) A.C.M.vandenberg@hszuyd.nl Convenor Freitas, Maria Jose; Room Br. 2.15; tel: (043) M.J.Freitas@hszuyd.nl Course Administrator: Stapelvoort, Inge; room BR 2.14 A tel: (043) (Tues) / (046) (Mon-Wed-Thu) I.Stapelvoort@hszuyd.nl London Metropolitan University: Location: Ladbroke House; Highbury Grove; London N5 2AD tel: fax: Course Director (QA) London: Lawrence, Sue; Room LH3-09; tel: address: s.lawrence@londonmet.ac.uk (b) Contacting London Metropolitan University staff As a rule Zuyd University of Applied Science staff will be able to deal with your enquiries concerning the course and its administration. However, if you have queries about the quality assurance of the course you may contact the University s Academic Partnerships and Audit Office. For queries on Appeals against decisions of Assessment Boards you should, in the first instance, contact the Course Director (Academic) at Zuyd University (see 10 (j) below). If all complaints procedures at Zuyd University have been followed, your final right of appeal is to London Metropolitan University. In this case, the Student Casework Office at:

16 or visit the Student Casework Office web page at: (c) Course Committee terms of reference and membership The Course Committee is the Body within the MACESS programme, which considers student s views and enables students to raise issues related to the programme. Specific issues arising during a module should be raised with the module convenor or with the MACESS directors. The Course Committee, normally convened each semester, reviews a set of modules and courses and provides quality assurance. The student voice is heard through the Student Academic Representatives. Key staff, including module convenors and Course Directors attend. There are terms of reference governing course committees and it is a requirement that action taken is reported back to the students. Colleague students should nominate three Student Academic Representatives. If the number of nominations received exceeds the quota permitted, an election may need to be held. Students representatives on the Board should be confirmed as early as possible in September, and no later than week 4. Additionally, meetings will be held with one of the Course Directors (Maastricht) at least once a month during the teaching period (September February). A written record of issues raised by the Board will be agreed and presented to the final Board. This document will be presented to the course team in June each year, to monitor and check action on the items raised by the Course Committee. (d) Feedback from students on modules and courses Staff and module convenors always welcome informal feedback from students on MACESS. Additionally each module has a formal process for receiving written feedback from students. At the end of the teaching on each module, students will be asked to complete anonymously a student feedback form, which will ask the students for their experience and opinion of the module, under different categories. These responses will be collected and analysed by the Course Administrator and considered by the module convenors to form part of their annual report on the module to the Course Team and the Quality Enhancement Meeting. Information from student feedback will be used to inform changes to the module and the programme for the subsequent year. An annual report on the programme is sent by the Course Directors to London Metropolitan University. (e) Complaints Informal complaints can be directly addressed by a student to a module convenor, Macess Course Director, or brought through the Macess Course Committee. In the case of a formal complaint, this should be referred to one of the Course Directors, or to the Complaints Committee. Zuyd University has regulations concerning complaints. They are available for inspection on the school s Infonet, in the libraries, with the student counsellors and with the confidential advisors. If you are confronted with undesirable behaviour at your work place or as a student at Zuyd University you can also file a complaint with the complaints committee during or after you have graduated or left your job at Hogeschool Zuyd. The confidential advisor can help you do this but you can also write to the complaints committee. It is the committee s task to pronounce a judgement on the complaint filed. This is done on the basis of statements made by the defendant and the plaintiff and any third party involved. If the committee declares the complaint justified the competent authorities can proceed to taking measures.

17 The postal address of the complaints committee is: Complaints committee Zuyd University Attn.: Secretary P.O. Box AN Heerlen Confidential advisor for MACESS (in cases of harrassment, bullying or discrimination): Karin Wiertz Lecturer Academie Beeldende Kunsten Maastricht Phone +31 (43) Website: (f) Module/Award results and transcripts At the end of each semester Assessment Boards confirm marks and recommend awards to the University s Awards Board. These results are then made available to you in a letter by mail to your home address. (g) Travel Arrangements and Erasmus grants Travel arrangements The organised visits to the European Commission (Brussels) and the Council of Europe are free of charge for the students. The Course Director will give detailed information about the organised study visits during the welcome week. The students themselves must pay all other travelling expenses. Erasmus Grants For the research period in the second semester MA students may be eligible for a small Erasmus grant, if they have not received an Erasmus grant previously. An administrator of the International Student Office will explain the exact requirements for grant applications during the first semester.

18 6. Sources of, and access to, information and advice (a) Information and Advice during your time on MACESS During your study time on Macess, Anne van den Berg will be responsible for the daily management of the programme and will be your personal advisor in case you need assistance in matters concerning your wellbeing, housing, group work and study development. You can make an appointment or see her in her office. (b) Course Directors Three Course Directors lead your course: The Course Director (Academic) is responsible for academic affairs of the MACESS programme and all external relations including admissions. The Course Director (Operations) is responsible for the daily management of the MACESS Programme and student programming, advice, guidance and counselling. The Course Director (London) is responsible for quality assurance of the MACESS programme and for liaison with London Metropolitan University. For most student queries, the Course Directors of MACESS will usually be the first point of reference. They offer information, advice and practical help in many areas. Information is available about other resources, persons and services within Zuyd University of Applied Science and within the participating institutes. During their study in Maastricht, the Course Directors of MA CESS will regularly meet with the M.A. students to discuss their progress, either at the Course Committee, as a class group or individually. (c) Management of your course MACESS is organisationally located in the Faculty of Social Studies at Zuyd University. The Dean of the Faculty has overall management responsibility for MACESS and is line manager of the two Maastricht Course Directors. Module convenors For most questions concerning the specific content of the modules, the module convenors are responsible. They can help the student with any subject specific questions. During a module teaching period they are available at published times. Lecturers Internationally qualified professors, teachers and guest speakers will be invited to lecture. The Guesthouse of Zuyd University of Applied Science will be used to accommodate these teachers. The University will recruit staff in accordance with the ethos of the programme. Dissertation Supervision A qualified staff member of Zuyd University of Applied Science will supervise the development of the research plan for the research and dissertation during the first half of the academic year. During the dissertation period the second half of the year - the students will be supervised by a qualified professor, teacher or module convenor. Dissertation supervisors are normally lecturers employed by a Higher Education Institution with recognised formal qualifications. Where a supervisor is chosen by the student for their expertise in field practice and is not employed in higher education, the Dissertation Module Convenor will request a full CV to ensure the person is appropriately equipped to supervise the research and dissertation. Where there is any doubt, the student will be asked to identify a lecturer in a higher education institution to oversee their research and production of the Dissertation. Supervisors will receive a fixed fee for their work. Supervision will take the form of direct, oral,

19 consultations or indirect, written, comments. Students will be asked for written feedback on the Dissertation Module, including the quality of Supervision. (d) Institutional and course administration The Central Student Administration is responsible for all aspects of registration, enrolment, fees and regulations at Zuyd University. It s located in Brusselseweg BR2.10. The MACESS Course Administrator usually liaises between MACESS students and the Central Student Administration. Her office is in Brusselseweg in room BR2.14a (full contact details are in section 5a above). (e) Learning support Tutorial system For most student queries, the Course Director (Operations) will usually be the first point of reference. She will offer information, advice and practical help in many areas. Information is available about other resources, persons and services within Zuyd University of Applied Science and within the participating institutes. During the programme in Maastricht, the Course Director (Operations) will regularly meet with the M.A. students to discuss their progress, either as a group or individually. Language course English language support is offered without charge. The course management will help the students to find language courses relevant for the country in which they will undertake their research. Students will be charged a fee for these courses. Course Readers Students will receive brochures, basic course information, student handbooks, module outlines, module booklets and handouts free of charge. (f) Pastoral support Zuyd University of Applied Sciences recognises that students are individuals with a diversity of experiences, needs and concerns. Accordingly, there are professionally trained counsellors and advisors available to talk with students about the challenges and difficulties of being a student in a foreign country, or any other personal concerns or problems. Details can be obtained from the Course Director (Operations). (g) Disabilities and dyslexia support All reasonable measures have been taken to ensure that students with disabilities can participate as much as possible in the academic and social life of the University. Students with a disability should contact the Course Director (Operations) to help to provide services in order to meet their needs (h) Careers Service Careers counselling and advice is available through local private organisations employment mediation services although students may find it more helpful to seek advice in their home

20 country. The MACESS Alumni surveys provide information on alumni employment and are available for information at Zuyd University of Applied Science. (i) Fees The fees for MACESS are payable to Zuyd University of Applied Sciences. Students with nationality of one of the EU/EEA countries and younger than 30 years can apply for a student loan from the Dutch government. This loan has to be re-paid. Full details will be given during the Welcome Week. A student who does not finish the course in the academic year of registration needs to register again for the following academic year and pay the obligatory tuition fees. In addition all students are required to pay for annual associate student status with London Metropolitan University (80 Euros) More detailed information about registration and payment of the tuition fees will be given during the induction period in September. (j) Books Some modules use a published textbook. The cost of such books for the whole of MACESS is approximately The textbooks for the core modules will be reserved at a bookshop in the city. (k) Housing In Maastricht, students live in rooms that are scattered all over town. There is no university campus. When students come to Maastricht, rooms can be reserved for them on a location that can be easily reached by bus and by bicycle. During the lecture period in Maastricht the MA students will have to pay housing fees, which are approximately per month. A deposit has to be paid by the student to the housing facilitator. We do not have any family accommodation and students proposing to bring their families to Maastricht should consult the facilitator well in advance for assistance. (l) Catering The University catering service offers various types of food and there are facilities on all sites, selling sandwiches, cakes, snacks, as well as a full range of hot and cold drinks. (m)sports and Culture Sports and cultural opportunities for a variety of interests are available all over the city. The students are mostly eligible to reduction, based on their student identity card (n) Childcare information There are well-equipped child-care day centres available for children from 2-5 years of age. Places are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, subject to age categories. Students with children should inform Course Director (Operations) in Maastricht as soon as possible. Students are expected to pay when using child-care. The cost is dependent on both time and net income of the student. (o) Career choices Depending on personal qualifications and professional profile gained through previous education and experience, career choices of previous alumni have included:

21 - Lecturer in universities - Directors and managers of both small and big organizations in the social area - Senior practitioners at the frontline of health and social care practice - Researchers and authors - Consultants - Policy advisors to governments and organizations See for further details. (p) Employment opportunities while you are studying Macess is an intense course and you might find there is little time remaining to take on parttime employment, however, there are specific offices for student employment in Maastricht: -studentenwerk: -call centre: (q) Visa and identity card EU citizens need a valid identity card or passport. Non-EU citizens need a valid visa. Visa applications need to be made before entering the EU. The Universities International Student Office will organise your visa application. You will be informed about the initiatives you have to take, in the letter of acceptance that you receive from the MACESS administration. The same office also takes care of VISA renewals. (r) Maastricht City Information On the Maastricht city website you can find some general information about the city and some services.

22 7. Course specification SECTION 4: COURSE SPECIFICATION 1. Name of course and highest award MA Comparative European Social Studies 2. Scheme University Postgraduate Scheme 3. Total credit for course 180 (90ECTS) 4. Possible interim awards PG Certificate European Social Studies, PG Diploma European Social Studies 5. Awarding/validating institution/body London Metropolitan University 6. Teaching institution Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 7. Course also accredited by Zuyd University for Dutch Social Work Qualification (where applicable) 8. Professional body exemptions/accreditation N/A 9. External subject benchmarks N/A 10. UCAS code (undergraduate only) 11. London Met course code CMPESS-X 12. Route code 13. JACS code 14. Source of funding Zuyd University of Applied Science 15. Approved to run from 16. Mode of attendance Full-time or Part-time 17. Expected duration of course Full-time 1 year, part-time 2 years 18. Organised work experience/sandwich year/year abroad The course includes a teaching phase in Maastricht from September until February, then a research phase in another country from March until August.

23 19. Career education, information and guidance : All candidates will already be qualified in social work or related arenas. However, the award of this qualification will enhance promotional prospects for the student as well as providing a qualification for a range of other professional careers, such as in the burgeoning international and independent sectors and also in social work practice, management, research and education, depending upon the focus of the Dissertation and the career aspirations of the student. 20. Admissions September 21. Teaching location Zuyd University of Applied Sciences, Maastricht, The Netherlands. 22. Home academic department DASS 23. Course Leaders Guido van de Luitgaarden (Maastricht), Anne van den Berg (Maastricht), Sue Lawrence (London). 24. Main educational aims of the course To provide students with a programme of postgraduate study which is both European and comparative in which every module will contain one or both of these aspects; To provide students, in the English language, a cohesive programme of study which contributes to the continuing professional development of social professionals in a European context; To enable students to apply comparative social science knowledge and comparative social research methods to issues relevant to social professionals in regional, national and European contexts; To provide students with a cohesive programme that combines and where possible integrates the various specialisations within the social professions in a European context, so that the analysis of social problems and public policy will be informed by a genuinely interdisciplinary and comparative approach; To ensure that issues of equal opportunity are addressed at the level of the curriculum as well as in recruitment and course delivery and to develop in students an awareness of anti-oppressive social professional practice in a European context. 25. Course learning outcomes (module codes are given indicating where learning outcomes are specifically tested) 25a. Knowledge and Understanding Develop a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of the key

24 concepts and issues related to European institutions and policies. SWP011ZU Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of theoretical perspectives on social welfare and their application in different European countries. SWP014ZU Apply a critical evaluation of the philosophical, ethical, organisational and professional issues in conducting and reporting research.swp012zu Demonstrate originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of concepts and theories explaining the similarities and differences of social professional practice in Europe. SWPP20ZU, SWP019ZU 25b. Cognitive intellectual skills Critically analyse and continue to advance their knowledge and understanding of the context of European institutions social policy. SWP011ZU. Evaluate the various different and emerging models of welfare and their relevance to regions of the wider Europe. SWP014ZU. Demonstrate the ability to develop a substantial piece of research or project work and to summarise this via a dissertation engaging with contemporary/newly developing ideas, approaches, theories. SWPP20ZU Evaluate the quality of both traditions and innovative developments in social professional practice and demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and recommend possibilities for planning and implementing tasks at a professional level. SW019ZU. 25c. Transferable skills Apply appropriate skills in research analysis, comparisons and recommendations. SW012ZU Evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses. SWP012ZU, SWP014ZU, SWPP20ZU. Work in a team to produce a presentation within a time-limited period. SWP014ZU, SWP19ZU Demonstrate oral and written communication skills in English appropriate to postgraduate study SWP039ZU, SWP042ZU, SWP040ZU, SWP0041ZU, SWP011ZU. Evaluate materials from a wide range of sources appropriate to complex tasks. SWP011ZU, SWP012ZU, SWPP20ZU. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility. SWPP20ZU Demonstrate decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations. SWPP20ZU. Employ the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development. SWPP20ZU, SWP019ZU. 25d. Subject-specific practical skills Apply appropriate skills in research analysis, comparisons and recommendations. SWP012ZU. Critically reflect upon personal value systems and preferred research methods. SWP012ZU. Apply knowledge and understanding to a critical analysis of European co-operation and integration. SWP011ZU. Examine the practice of social policies in selected countries with particular reference to the social professions. SWP019ZU. Discuss and debate some of the current issues and trends related to social professional practice in Europe. SWP019ZU. Synthesise and apply these attributes within a substantial piece of research or project work and to summarise this via a dissertation. SWPP20ZU.