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Want to study in the UK but don’t have the qualifications to get into university at undergraduate or postgraduate level? An international pathway programme, or degree preparation course, could be the first rung on the ladder. Find out more about what they offer, and hear how they’ve provided recent international graduates with the foundation for career success.
International pathway programmes, also known as degree preparation courses, are well established in the UK. They offer a foundation year if your qualifications don’t meet the standard required for entrance to a UK university at either undergraduate or Master’s level.
For example, this might be because the high school system in your home country is shorter than in the UK. Or perhaps you didn’t get the grades for your dream course, or your English isn’t quite good enough.
A degree preparation course will boost your subject knowledge and English ability, and introduce you to the academic study skills you’ll need at a UK higher education institution.
Universities may run such programmes themselves. Often, though, they are run by specialist providers in partnership with universities.
Providers will be registered with the official higher education regulator (in England, the Office for Students), allowing them to apply for the right to sponsor international students.
Registration also ensures these providers offer a high quality education. A recent evaluation from the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) found “that the academic standards of International Foundation Programmes were being set in line with the expectations of a course at that level in the vast majority of cases.
“QAA also found that students on International Foundation Programmes were achieving at an appropriate level and that marking and assessment were effective in the vast majority of cases.”
One provider is Kaplan International Pathways, which operates international colleges at several UK universities as well as its own London study centre.
It also offers Digital Pathways, allowing people to study online from anywhere in the world, saving them travel and accommodation expenses, before moving to the UK for their degree.
Kaplan’s degree preparation courses include:
Foundation Certificate. This helps you reach the level to begin undergraduate studies. If you pass with good attendance, you are guaranteed a place on the first year of a UK university degree.
International Year One (IYO). This combines degree preparation with the first year of an undergraduate degree. If you pass, with a good attendance record, you are guaranteed admission to year two of a UK undergraduate degree.
Pre-Master’s. This ensures you’re ready for Master’s study, and guarantees you a place on a UK postgraduate course if you pass with good attendance.
Kaplan’s annual satisfaction survey of students on its degree preparation courses found that 92% felt prepared for their university studies.
Kaplan also has a career focus, offering students the chance to enhance their employability skills and even take an internship.
Its survey showed that 91% of students felt they had learnt skills and knowledge that would be useful for their future career – even though they’re a few years away from looking for jobs.
UWE Bristol’s International College (UWEBIC) is a joint venture with Kaplan. So what have its students achieved?
One recent success is Stephanie Jay, who took a Foundation Certificate in Science and Engineering and has since gone on to complete a BSc and PhD in Biomedical Science.
She says: “This pathway offered the ideal route towards my goal. Completing the Foundation Certificate at the International College gave me invaluable skills and knowledge that proved instrumental in my undergraduate journey. I gained a substantial advantage!
“This solid foundation made transitioning into university seamless and undoubtedly paved the way for my successful pursuit of a PhD.”
Community support on the international pathway programme
Stephanie praises the “strong community within the college, so that really acted as a great support system for me, even when it got difficult.”
College tours around Bristol helped her feel at home in the city.
“The adjustment was quite easy — it wasn’t overwhelming. Sometimes you miss home — you get a culture shock — but I think I had the right support system around me with my friends and tutors from the college.
“Another thing I enjoyed about the support with Kaplan was there were monthly check-ins and one-to-ones.
“Those check-in sessions were useful for me to feel like I had a community that I could rely on.”
As well as completing her PhD, Stephanie has also branched out from the sciences, creating an exhibition exploring mental health and the arts and giving a TEDxUWE talk on leadership.
Her advice to other students keen to follow in her footsteps: “I say that to everyone else who might be in college and not sure how things are going to pan out: just keep going. Just show up every day. You’ve got a bright future ahead of you!”
You can also read our recent blog about Moataz from Egypt, who started at UWEBIC and went on to study Engineering at UWE Bristol, before finding his position as a systems engineer for Cap Gemini.
And don’t forget to register with Gradlink today for access to our database of global employers, jobs and free careers advice.