Essex has opted to bring all of its pathway programmes for international students in-house after a comprehensive review of the University’s provision. This will make the University one of the largest providers of wholly-owned pathway programmes for international students in the UK.

After careful consideration the University and Insearch Ltd (a company of the University of Technology Sydney offering pathway programmes at Essex through Insearch Essex) have agreed that the interests of future students will be best served through a harmonisation of pathway provision within the University’s International Academy.

This means the University’s wide range of pre-degree, undergraduate and postgraduate English and fast track programmes will be taught and run by a single academic department. Recruitment of students to University of Essex pathway programmes for 2008-09 has been buoyant, with more than 500 students due to register this month.

Integration of pathway provision, increased diversity, and opportunities for expansion have been at the heart of the review of the programmes, which prepare students for entry to University degree schemes. Steady expansion of the provision will help the University fund future planned developments to improve library and teaching space for all students, and develop further student accommodation if required.

Following the review, the University is now transferring programmes provided for the past four years by Insearch Ltd into its International Academy. The collaboration with Insearch Ltd has enabled students to follow fast track Certificate of Higher Education programmes in business, management and computing with good progression rates onto second year University of Essex Honours degree programmes, and a solid performance record at graduation.

As part of the review the University also held preliminary discussions with private provider INTO University Partnerships to explore the possibility of a partnership. However, the University has decided Essex’s extensive track record in recruiting over many years across a diverse range of international markets, and the integration of the Insearch Essex programmes, gives it a strong presence on which to build on its own in-house provision.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Riordan said: ‘Our successful partnership with Insearch has helped us to develop our pathway provision. However, after careful consideration we believe the way forward for the University of Essex and its students is an integrated suite of programmes delivered by our own experienced International Academy, preparing our students for successful study on Essex degree programmes.’
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Notes to Editors

1. The University of Essex has always been at the forefront of international student recruitment. Essex is the UK’s most internationally-diverse campus university, with more than 130 countries represented on its campuses and one third of its student population drawn from outside the UK.

2. Insearch Essex was launched in 2004 as a collaboration between the University of Essex and Insearch Ltd. Students following the Certificate of Higher Education fast track programmes in Business, Business Management, Computer Science and Computing and Management have achieved strong progression rates onto the second year of University of Essex Honours degree programmes and a solid performance record at graduation. The University is committed to continuing these programmes and Insearch Essex staff will transfer to the University as of 31 October 2008.