University of London International Programmes offer new route to a Bachelors
View(s):The University of London International Programmes launches its first foundation programme in Sri Lanka this year to help students prepare for undergraduate study.
Designed by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), the International Foundation Programme (IFP) has been developed to bridge the education gap of students aspiring to take a UK degree, who have not completed A level qualifications. The aim is to equip students with the academic knowledge and study skills to succeed on demanding undergraduate degree programmes.
Successful completion of the IFP gives guaranteed entry to most undergraduate degree programmes offered by the University of London International Programmes, including all programmes directed by LSE, the Bachelor of Laws and more. It may also qualify students to apply to other universities in the UK and elsewhere.
In Sri Lanka, the programme must be studied at Royal Institute of Colombo (RIC), an Affiliate Centre for the University of London International Programmes. RIC will offer lectures and other classes to complement the online resources provided by the University of London.
Students will gain a strong grounding in mathematics and statistics and be able to choose optional modules in such subjects as economics, international relations, politics, social psychology and sociology.
Lynne Roberts, Academic Coordinator for the IFP at the LSE, said: “The International Foundation Programme is going to widen participation and provide more people with an opportunity to study our programmes.”
“Our aim has been to design a learning experience which is structured, strongly focused on the development of academic skills and, above all, fun. The courses have been developed with enthusiasm and expertise by our team at the LSE.”
University of London degrees offered through the University of London International Programmes are already very popular in Sri Lanka. There are currently about 1,600 students studying a range of undergraduate programmes including law, business, economics, accounting and international relations.
Students value the opportunity to gain a high quality, internationally recognised UK degree, without having to move overseas. They say the sense of achievement that come from succeeding on such renowned and challenging programmes gives them confidence to pursue their ambitions.
Dinuk Anthony De Silva Wijeyeratne, a BSc Information Systems and Management graduate in 2004, said: “I would highly recommend the University of London International Programmes to anyone. It’s a tough degree and there are no short cuts, so you need to put you work in and the rewards will follow.”
Milhan Ikram Mohamed, who achieved a First Class Bachelor of Laws degree in 2010, added: “When I discovered I had achieved a First Class degree I began to think big, and suddenly my opportunities were endless.”
And now, with the introduction of the IFP, those opportunities will be available to even more students. As Ms Roberts said, “Studying the International Foundation Programme will not only give students the opportunity to go on to further university study, more than that, will prepare them to meet future challenges inside and outside of the classroom. Above all, we want to inspire a love of learning and give students the confidence to achieve their potential.”
Anyone interested in taking the International Foundation Programme should apply to RIC by 15 September 2013: www.ric.lk
The University of London International Programmes will accept undergraduate applications until 1 October. Learn more at: www.londoninternational.ac.uk/sri