European ‘added value’ in planning education – student

perceptions

Eric MarkusLecturer, Programme Manager

Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH)Karlskrona, Sweden

www.bth.se/schoolofplanning

European planning education

MSc programme in European Spatial Planning and Regional Development (”ESP”) at BTH since 2004

Until introduction of fees for non-EU students (2011):

25% non-EU students, 75% EU students

Now: substantially fewer non-EU students

Total alumni: ~160-170

Alumni survey (’straw poll’) undertaken on European ’added value’ from education programme

What is the value of it? How is it perceived?

Survey

Online surveyCombined quantitative and qualitative questions/responsesPossibility to answer free-text questions in English, Swedish or Chinese

Sent to 161 alumni from all cohortsBounced emails 5 (=3%)Responses: 47. Response rate: 30%

Respondents’ origin (before studies at BTH):Americas 4%Asia 12%EU 51%Europe, non-EU 19%

Survey and Respondents

Survey Questions

Q:

Was there an 'added' value of studying in Europe?

If “yes” or “unsure”:

What European 'added' value (if any) can you think of?

A:

Responses emphasise diversity and personal experience

A few highlight studies in the English language

Several point to learning from others’ experiences

Qualitative free-text question and responses

European added value

The main added value is having worked together with people from very different backgrounds.

The most important value was the encounter [with] so many nationalities and the experience that this gives you!

Broaden experience, raising awareness about similarities and differences (both private life as well as professional context)

In China there are not too many opportunities to study and communicate with students who come from different countries. But studying in EU you can make friends with classmates from all world, and can learn something from them.

…far away from home, [the studies] built my self-confidence and [I] became more independent

Responses: Diversity and Personal Experience

Survey Questions

Q:

Was there an 'added value' of studying in SPATIAL PLANNING in Europe?

If ‘yes’ or ‘unsure’:

What 'added value' (if any) can you think of - why was it beneficial or useful to have studied SPATIAL PLANNING in Europe?

A:

Responses emphasise gaining new perspectives, understanding one’s own (planning) system better, learning from others

Some highlight learning about complexity in planning, a few mention employment opportunities

Qualitative free-text question and responses

European added value in planning

The added value of having studied spatial planning in another country in Europe than my home country is having seen how spatial planning is dealt with in other countries and from this being able to get some sort of outsider perspective on the practices in my own country. This can help you find more creative solutions for the problems that have to be dealt with.

European perspective as supplement to national perspective taught at my home university, awareness about different schools/traditions in planning, awareness for careful use of terminology

Thinking out of the box (other way of thinking than in my country) and especially thinking beyond borders

Responses: New Perspectives and Complexity

Survey Questions

Q:

In what way (if any) does the fact that you have studied spatial planning in Europe give you an advantage, for example when applying for jobs?

A:

Responses focus on benefit of general international experience and cross-cultural competence

A few highlight subject-specific knowledge, some point out language skills gained or perceived quality of European education

Qualitative free-text question and responses

Employment advantage of studies

[Advantage is] having international experiences, to have been for a longer time abroad

Unfortunately [my] job is not in [the] spatial planning field, but international experience and high level of English were definitely helpful.

I cannot say how much [advantage] exactly, but both jobs that I have had since being in Sweden, both employers were intrigued by the fact that I had studied in Sweden and studied planning in Europe.

I think it gives you an advantage because [when] applying for a job, you can work with much more than just your country.

Responses: International Experience and Competence

Summary

Diversity of student cohorts, learning experience and subject studied

Learning from others and learning about oneself by learning about others (e.g. planning systems, experiences)

International experience

New perspectives on the subject and one’s own personal life

How much of this is specific for the subject itself (European planning)? What is dependent on MSc programme set-up, independent of subject?

‘Added European value’ – can it be found in general experiences and skills rather than the programme curriculum (contents)?

General skills and experiences at the forefront?