English Colleges

In today's global world, an English based education is important to succeed and progress. After all, the modern world of technology, politics, business, and entertainment uses English as a universal language. So a degree from an English college is very valuable and goes a long way in a dynamic and fast moving world. There is a variety of English colleges around the world, but surely the best ones can be found in England. The University of London is one of the largest higher educational systems in the United Kingdom. Consisting of 19 different universities and 12 other research facilities, the University of London has more than 135,000 full-time students studying in campuses, plus over 40,000 students in the University of London External System.

The University of London established its External System for people who - either due to financial, career, family commitments or disabilities, could not or did not wish to come London to study full time on campus. Basically, the External System is a distant learning educational program. In fact, The University of London External System is the oldest distance learning program in the world, as its degrees have been accessible to students worldwide since 1858. Today, the university has over 40,000 students in more than 180 countries studying 100 different courses. It's this widespread global outreach of the External System that provides great benefits to those students who really need it overseas.

All of the courses offered through the External System are developed by the Colleges of the University: for example, the suite of undergraduate courses in the fields of economics, management, finance and the social sciences are developed by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), whilst the animal-related postgraduate courses are developed by the Royal Veterinary College. Therefore, students directly benefit from the academic standards and leading-edge research undertaken by these English Colleges. Of more than 30 English colleges and universities, the schools participating in the University of London External System include Birkbeck, Goldsmiths, Heythrop College, Institute of Education, King's College London, London School of Economics, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, Royal Veterinary College, School of Oriental and African Studies, and University College London.

Students studying through the University of London External System are registered with the University of London and awarded a University of London degree on successful completion of their studies. Degrees awarded to External students are of an identical standard to those awarded to students who study on campus at one of the colleges and universities in London. The External System maintains rigorous and effective quality assurance mechanisms. The same academics who teach and assess College-based students on campus, develop syllabuses, prepare study materials, and set and mark exams for students enrolled in the External System.

You might have many reasons for choosing to study through the University of London External System. But again and again, students note the worldwide reputation of the programmes as the most important factor, along with flexibility and affordability. University of London External System students come to from diverse backgrounds and experiences. More than 40,000 students studying at the university programs in over 180 countries, some join in straight from school while others start work and then decide to study to improve their career prospects or gain the knowledge and skills to help them improve job performance. The oldest student at this English college system graduated at the age of 91, the youngest registered for a diploma aged 17. For the majority of UL External System student community - those with ongoing family and professional commitments - flexibility of study and the ability to earn as you learn are especially important. While for many students outside the United Kingdom, the opportunity to take examinations in their own country is an important and convenient factor.

The External System offers a wide range of courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, ranging from certificates and diplomas to full degrees. The External System also offers a variety of individual modules for your continuing, personal or professional development.

Undergraduate courses are available in the fields of Accounting and Finance, Business and Management, Banking and Finance, Computing, Earth Sciences, Economics, Humanities, Law, Languages, Mathematics, and Social Sciences. If you're new to study or haven't studied for a some time, the Access route, Work Experience Entry Route and Diplomas offer entry routes to degree level study that will aid you develop your confidence and  study skills. For undergraduate degrees, The University of London External System offers BA, BSc and LLB undergraduate ( bachelors) degrees which are usually made up of 12 units/subjects. For most BSc degrees and the LLB, Graduate Entry Routes are available allowing  certain graduates of any discipline to gain an undergraduate degree by taking just 9 units/subjects.

Access route is an entry route to degrees in the field of Economics, Management, Finance and the Social Sciences, and makes up 2 units. It's an ideal option if you'd like to take a degree in this area but don't currently meet the entrance requirements.

The Diploma entry includes qualifications in their own right and also offer an alternative entry route into their respective degrees for those without 'A' levels or the equivalent qualifications. Diplomas are available in: Computing and Information Systems, Creative Computing, Economics, English, Law, Philosophy, Social Sciences and Theology. For some of these diplomas, (Computing and Information Systems, Creative Computing, Economics, Social Sciences and Law) you must attend classes at certain colleges - as they are able to provide the personal and teaching support that will help you successfully complete the course.

Work experience entry route is an entry route comprising of  two (2) units, into degrees in Computing and Information Systems and Creative Computing for those without 'A' levels or their equivalent, who have at least two years work experience in IT or Computing (and meet the GCSE requirements).