University news

The new Glasgow International College – which prepares students from around the world to take up places at the University of Glasgow - has opened its doors to its first intake of almost 100 students. 

A Scottish first, Glasgow International College (GIC) provides a full range of integrated academic, academic skills and English language courses designed to set students up for study at Scotland’s University of the Year.*

The project - located on campus and run by Kaplan International Colleges in collaboration with the University - offers courses designed to prepare international students for entry to the University's undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in a range of disciplines including engineering, management, science and social sciences.

Jackie Main, Director of GIC, said: “We are very excited to welcome our very first cohort of students to Glasgow International College. These students are at the beginning of what I hope will be an extremely productive, rewarding and enjoyable journey. Our aim is to ensure that that they have the opportunity not only to develop new skills which will prepare them for their future studies at the University, but also to develop as individuals and to fulfil their long term personal and career objectives.” 

Professor Andrea Nolan, Vice Principal, Teaching and Learning, University of Glasgow said: "We are delighted to welcome the first intake of almost 100 international students to the Glasgow International College and wish them well in their studies.

"The GIC is an exciting development for the University. We want to prepare our students, whether from the UK or from overseas, for the global marketplace. While we're increasing opportunities for our students to study and work abroad, increasing our international student numbers at home is an ideal way to bring benefits to all our students.

"The University of Glasgow wants students at GIC to play a full part in student and campus life. Their presence, like that of all our international students, offers the potential to enrich the experience and enhance the social, educational and future professional networks of UK-based students.

"We are confident that the Glasgow International College will be of great economic benefit to the city and the country as a whole.

"The strength of the GIC arrangement is that it is preparing students in the local environment and in collaboration with University for eventual study as University of Glasgow students. A major objective in the model is to facilitate integration and progression onto the University's degree programmes."

The Glasgow International College will be located in a university building on Dumbarton Road. It is anticipated that once the college is fully established by  2011 total student numbers will be 1000.

After completing their studies at the Glasgow International College, the students will be eligible to enter the second or third year of an under-graduate degree course, depending on the programme studied and providing they meet the academic standard required.

Kaplan International Colleges provide academic preparation programmes designed specifically to meet the needs of international students in the UK. The programmes provide students with a solid academic foundation in their chosen area combined with intensive English language preparation and academic study skills. Existing colleges are already operational with the University of Sheffield and Nottingham Trent University.

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Further information:

Martin Shannon,
Media Relations Officer
Tel: 0141 330 8593
Email: m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk

Elizabeth Hess
Kaplan, Inc.
Tel: 020 7398 2580
Email: elizabeth.hess@kaplan.com

* The Sunday Times newspaper named Glasgow ‘Scottish University of the Year 2007-08'.

Kaplan, Inc. is an education services provider that offers higher education, professional training, test preparation, services for K12 schools and after-school learning programmes. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). Further information on Kaplan www.kaplan.com.

First published: 27 September 2007