New international college
Published 14 April 2011
The University of Brighton is opening an International College that will boost the local economy, increase employment opportunities and give more international students pathways to university study.
The International College, to be based at the university's Moulsecoomb campus in Lewes Road, Brighton, is expected to open in September this year and will provide upwards of 50 jobs in the next five years, in a variety of posts including teaching.
Many talented students around the world are eager to attend UK universities but some are from countries where formal education ends earlier than it does in this country. The college will bring those students up to the same academic standard as UK students to meet this country's academic entry requirements. The college will also help those students who need to enhance their English language skills and learn more about British culture.
The college is offering tailored and flexible programmes to bridge those gaps and enable students to gain entry to undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses in the UK.
Professor Julian Crampton, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, said: "The university is a community which values an international outlook, something that is essential in today's world. Students at the college will gain a broader perspective that will support them throughout their courses and into their chosen careers. At the same time, UK students will gain an insight into other cultures around the world and this can lead to the forging of friendships that often last a lifetime."
Much of the planning for the college has been carried out by Colin Monk, the university's Pro-Vice-Chancellor with responsibility for international affairs. He said: "This will be an important feeder college for the university and, at the same time, it will generate employment opportunities and extra income for the local economy."
The college will be run by Kaplan International Colleges, which has a strong record of providing pathway education to students around the world, runs its own college in London that students attend before taking degree courses at City University, the University of Westminster and the universities of Southampton and Cranfield. It also operates colleges similar to Brighton's at the Universities of Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Nottingham Trent.
Mr Monk explained: "Kaplan will deliver the courses and the university will be involved on academic boards, to supervise the college’s operation and educational direction and to ensure a high-quality academic experience."
Linda Cowan, Managing Director of Kaplan International Colleges, described Brighton as one of the UK's leading new universities, with exceptional teaching quality, a strong research record, career-focused courses and a community of more than 21,000 students from more than 150 countries.
She said: "We are confident that international students coming to Brighton will have a fantastic experience both in their studies and social life. We look forward to welcoming students to the college and helping them to achieve their goals of academic and career success."
Professor Crampton said the university enjoys successful affiliations with colleges and schools across Sussex and he was confident the new partnership with Kaplan would prove equally rewarding. He added: "Kaplan will offer greater reach through its extensive international agents and country offices around the world and we very much look forward to working with them.
"We know how much UK students enjoy their learning experience at this university and we know also that many overseas students want to come here to benefit from our professionally-focused courses. The new college will provide them with the pathway they need."
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