The University of Liverpool has announced that Kaplan Open Learning has been selected as its partner to create and deliver postgraduate taught programs to a global student audience through online learning. The announcement was made at the British Council’s Going Global conference in Berlin.
UoL and Kaplan already enjoy a successful partnership in the area of international student pathway provision through the University of Liverpool International College, one of the UK’s largest embedded pathway colleges.
“The benefits of online is that it is worldwide”
Kaplan Pathways managing director Linda Cowan told The PIE News the two players have developed trust in the relationship lasting more than a decade.
“We have worked with Liverpool for over 10 years, focusing in the area of international education, preparing international students for degrees at the University of Liverpool,” she said.
“This partnership is really bringing the best of Kaplan in terms of our expertise in online delivery through Kaplan Open Learning.”
With this new agreement, the university will further develop its leadership in online education aligned to its World top 100 ambitions and Strategy 2026 by drawing on distinctive strengths in education and research and with a primarily international focus.
Together the partners hope to strengthen visibility worldwide and build on combined networks and resources.
Speaking about the partnership, pro-vice chancellor for Education at UoL Gavin Brown, said that as the university works towards its goal of becoming a world top 100 institution, online education will be a priority.
“The University of Liverpool is a pioneer in online education and we are proud of what we have accomplished so far. I am confident that this new partnership will allow us to achieve our strategic ambitions by helping us to deliver high-quality, career-enhancing education to students across the world,” he added.
“The benefits of online is that it is worldwide. Our students can study programs with the University of Liverpool anywhere in the world,” Brown explained.
Along with continuing Liverpool’s online postgraduate offer, the partnership will explore new markets such as continued professional development, he told The PIE News.
“Students will be able to apply the knowledge and skills that they learn on their online programs directly into the workplace simultaneously.”
Kaplan has extensive experience with online, and works with the University of Essex in the UK, as well as Purdue University in the US, according to managing director of KOL, Nicola Pittman.
“We are delighted that the expertise of KOL’s online delivery and international recruitment was recognised in this competitive tender and we look forward to building on the success of the pathway partnership that is already in place between Kaplan and the University of Liverpool,” Pittman said.
“We can create some really cutting-edge programs that are at the forefront of technology and utilise career focus with an international edge really focusing on those international students,” Pittman added.
The University of Liverpool previously worked with Laureate Online Education in a partnership lasting almost two decades.
Additional reporting by Kerrie Kennedy
