As its 25th anniversary year draws to a close, NCUK has added two major international collaborations to its portfolio of academic preparation programmes.
It has launched a third and final £1m scholarship scheme, this time for Nigerian students to study in the UK, and has established a partnership with Maltese Clubclass Language Schools to develop an in-country pathway programme.
Nigerian students enrolled on an NCUK pathway programme are eligible for up to 57 scholarships worth up to £20,000 at 16 UK universities.
The scholarship scheme has already been rolled out in China and South Korea, which along with Nigeria, mark NCUK’s three largest markets.
“The UK government has always valued Nigerian students highly and we are delighted by NCUK’s initiative”
“This collaborative £1m Scholarship Scheme is excellent news for young students,” said Country Director of the British Council, Connie Price. “The UK government has always valued Nigerian students highly and we are delighted by NCUK’s initiative.”
“It will provide many opportunities to the most talented students who have their sights set on an international career,” she added.
Scholarship winners can also compete for 20 places on a two-year training programme, offered by international leadership development organisation, Common Purpose.
NCUK will also offer the International Diploma for students wishing to study the first year of the UK degree in Nigeria, where it has programmes in Calabar, Kaduna, Lagos and Port Harcourt.
Meanwhile, Clubclass, which is embarking on its first ever partnership, is aiming for up to 15 students in year one through its new NCUK pathway programme in Malta.
“The two motives behind the partnership are firstly diversification, not to remain solely focused on teaching EFL, and secondly as a response to agent demands for a university pathway programme with a guaranteed placement,” Joe Aquilina Managing Director of Clubclass told The PIE News.
“By offering the NCUK IFY, we can add the guarantee of a place at one of 11 leading UK universities and because of the English for Academic Purposes module, students will not need to take another English test to get an entry visa to the UK.”
Established in 1987, NCUK guarantees students who complete academic preparation courses placement at one of its member institutions which include the University of Sheffield and the University of Leeds.
Speaking with The PIE News NCUK’s Georgina Jones said the organisation is looking to expand into 2+2 programmes in new markets including India, Colombia, Brazil and Turkey.
