University of London International Programmes

Established in 1858, the University of London International Programmes (formerly the External System) exists to promote worldwide a programme of degrees and other awards, primarily for students who cannot attend full-time courses at the university. It operates under the principle, enshrined in university statutes, that the academic standard of University of London awards is attained irrespective of mode or place of study. All programmes offered by the International Programmes lead to awards of the University of London, the degree-awarding authority.

Twelve of the university's 19 colleges offer distance learning provision through International Programmes, some also externally. There are currently approximately 50,000 students, 88 per cent of whom are from overseas from 198 different countries and 12 per cent from UK. The most important relationship is with the London School of Economics, with 19,500 students registered for University of London degrees through International Programmes. Recruitment focuses on courses related to financial and legal professions, although there are also degrees in humanities, medicine, languages, philosophy, sociology, tropical medicine, primary health care and international development.

The International Programmes operates through a partnership between the central university and the member colleges. Programmes of study are each academically managed by one or more colleges. The central university is the registering and awarding body, providing the overarching governance, and administrative and development support. Colleges are responsible for the academic development, maintenance and review of programmes and for students’ progression through those programmes.

Although the majority of courses are designed so that they can be completed through independent study alone, around 70 per cent of students voluntarily attend local independent teaching institutions to gain additional academic guidance. Provisional recognition has been granted to 72 such institutions.

The Centre for Distance Education (www.cde.london.ac.uk) is a new initiative to support the development of expertise in distance learning at college level. The centre comprises a network of educational practitioners, researchers, experts and specialists. It supports a community of practice and provides a focus for the development of high-quality teaching and research in distance education throughout the federal university. The centre’s overall purpose is to enhance the student experience and improve achievement through distance learning. It promotes excellence in teaching and research and enhances the status of distance learning in higher education. The centre also aims to foster innovations, both pedagogic and technological, within distance education, evaluate their reception by students and facilitate dissemination of best practice within the community of London colleges.

In addition to the work of the Centre for Distance Education, the university is implementing a £12 million project to improve administrative support for the student lifecycle and provide enhanced learning materials including an online library. International Programmes has two out-posted staff from the university library who work with staff and students to ensure optimal take-up of the new resources.

The marketing strategy is led by the Global Networks and Communities Directorate, a major part of whose role is to support the development of capacity in independent teaching institutions around the world, because these organisations play a key role in bringing students to the university. The Global Networks and Communities Directorate also looks to recruit independent students and recognises that some of the degrees offered by International Programmes are supported with VLE-based teaching supplied directly by a college of the university. These needs are served by the production of materials and also generic marketing through the web, educational affairs and media events.