International students are unaware of the option of studying UK Accelerated degrees, according to a report by IFF Research and UK NARIC, which has also identified a greater international market potential outside Europe.
The survey of 1,164 international respondents found 59% were unaware of UK Accelerated degrees, although 44% would consider studying fast track degree.
“The sector must disrupt and innovate to ensure the UK’s unique educational offer maintains”
59% Nigerian, 54% Ghanaian, 74% Zimbabwean, 66% Brazilian,and 59% of Filipino international students responding to the survey said they would consider studying an accelerated degree, but researchers suggested that accelerated degrees suffer from lack of awareness and clear communication about benefits and opportunities they can provide.
The report calls for the sector to present the benefits of accelerated degrees more clearly and widely.
“There would certainly seem to be an opportunity to market to these students and that is what we are hoping this report highlights,” Elizabeth Shepherd, research director at IFF Research told The PIE News.
However there is no evidence to indicate that they would rather study Accelerated degrees above other available courses, despite the study finding that 44% of respondents would consider studying them, she added.
“The sector must disrupt and innovate to ensure the UK’s unique educational offer maintains, and where possible, increases market share internationally,” the report reads. “Offering new types of courses or expanding programme provision are ways in which the sector could respond and remain relevant.”
Acceleatred degrees allow students to continue studying through summer months, therefore reducing the time of te courses, it noted. However, accelerated degrees account for only 0.2% of undergraduate enrolments.
The survey also found that 56% of respondents believe the government in their home country recognises a UK one-year master’s degree, and 77% would consider studying a UK one-year master’s degree.
The main two reasons cited for studying a one-year master’s degree were that they are provided by prestigious UK universities and the time it saves as the course only takes one year to complete.
The potential cost saving only accounted reasons giving by 16% of respondents.
“Well known to UK institutions marketing their degree programmes in the South Asian region is the issue around acknowledgment of one-year master’s degrees,” the report continues.
It can be difficult for Indian students to pursue a doctorate in India after gaining a one-year master’s degree, as the country does not formally recognise a UK the qualification, the reported notes.
The data collected in the study evidences the perceived lack of formal recognition of one-year master’s in India, but also the willingness to pursue this qualification, the report says.
