When students join UNSW Global’s next intake for its flagship University English Entry Course, they will be studying from their own homes across multiple time zones – connected and supported in a unique online experience.

“We are excited to be one of the first to make a full transition into the digital world”

On completion, students will be able to seamlessly progress to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree at UNSW Sydney online while border restrictions are still in place, and on-campus when travel resumes.

Developed in partnership with learning platform OpenLearning, the program provides a social and engaging approach to university preparation, and hundreds of students, primarily from China, are expected to complete it in 2020.

“UNSW Global’s University English Entry Course was the first of its type in Australia, and it has always been our goal to ensure the program remains fit for purpose,” said UNSW Global CEO, Laurie Pearcey.

“We are excited to be one of the first to make a full transition into the digital world.”

With Covid-19 restrictions limiting access to traditional IELTS, Pearson or TOEFL English language certification, it has been challenging for many students hoping to fulfil their dreams of studying abroad.

UNSW Global said that while education providers everywhere rush to convert traditional face-to-face programs to online lectures and content, it has sought a more ‘active’ learning approach – designed to enhance the experience and foster a supportive community specifically for language learning.

“Most online courses out there are quite passive,” OpenLearning CEO and co-founder, Adam Brimo, said.

“They are usually designed to supplement face-to-face teaching – and if you take the face-to-face element away, all you are left with is documents.”

Pearcey added that he believes the program could profoundly transform access to English language programs and pathways to further study.

“If we can get this right: developing innovative online programs at scale, at a price people can afford and a delivery cost that universities can sustain, it could revolutionise global access to higher education at the great universities of the world.

“We welcome enquiries from other universities seeking an online pathway,” he added.

“We are still seeing a strong appetite for UNSW Sydney admission later this year and in 2021 with applications for some programs up by double-digit percentages. This program will allow them to prepare and give their studies a head start.”