The study programme follows an internationalisation policy for students and staff. It invests in international initiatives across the curriculum, student mobility (incoming and outgoing), and Internationalisation@Home experiences. This helps students develop their international and cultural competencies.

What?

Ghent University study programmes introduce students and teaching staff to international perspectives. Programme Committees follow an education policy aligned with the university-wide and (where relevant) faculty vision on internationalisation. Programme Committees determine which international and intercultural competencies graduates should acquire and enable this by giving the entire curriculum an international dimension. Programme Committees draw on the teaching staff's international and intercultural experience whenever possible. Staff mobility (such as guest lectures abroad) further enhances this, complemented by incoming guest lecturers. 

To develop a curriculum with an international dimension, it is important to incorporate international and intercultural learning opportunities in a logical, step-by-step sequence, following the stepping-stone principle. After all, internationalisation is so much more than mere outgoing student mobility. To give every student a chance to acquire international and intercultural competencies, approachable Internationalisation@Home initiatives should be an essential part of the curriculum. So-called windows of opportunity in the curriculum facilitate outgoing student mobility, ranging from short-term mobility, such as blended intensive programmes, to longer-term exchanges, such as studying abroad, an international work placement, or a research stay abroad (e.g., in the context of the Master's dissertation). Another way to stimulate internationalisation for study programmes is to participate in a joint programme or issue double or joint degrees. In short, the study programme establishes and maintains international partnerships to shape the international dimension of its curriculum.  

Why?

In Ghent University’s dynamic educational context, our six strategic education objectives guide decision-making in education policy, both now and in the future. At Ghent University, we continually benchmark our ambitions for education against these objectives. In doing so, we consistently deliver state-of-the-art education.  

At Ghent University, each study programme is expected to align with and implement our six strategic education objectives. One of these objectives is ‘Extend Horizons’, which is implemented in the form of international learning opportunities in the curriculum for all students. 

International experiences provide students and staff with opportunities to develop international and intercultural competencies, which are indispensable in today’s globalised and diverse society and labour market. An international dimension not only enhances the quality of education but also increases the study programme’s visibility and appeal to various stakeholders.