ANC launches UK undergraduate Uni transfer programme

ANC, the leading higher education provider in Sri Lanka for US and Australian based undergraduate university programmes, is launching UK university undergraduate transfer programmes in Sri Lanka today in collaboration with the Northern Consortium United Kingdom (NCUK). A BOI approved tertiary education institution under the umbrella of Ceylinco Education Group, ANC’s foray into the UK university academic sphere now completes the triad of most sought after destinations by Sri Lankan students vying for higher education opportunities abroad.

“What we have done is ensured that the best university education options in the world are available right here in Sri Lanka,” explains Jagath Alwis, Deputy Chairman of Ceylinco Education Group, at the signing of the agreement between ANC and NCUK, which also had guests from the UK universities and the Northern Consortium present. “ANC’s primary objective has been to give young people today a chance at embarking on world class university education, taking into consideration the cost effectiveness and the wide and diverse curriculum we can offer right here in Sri Lanka.” In partnership with Northern Consortium UK which has eleven owner universities within its purview, Alwis further mentions that the UK undergraduate transfer programmes will benefit both parents and youth in Sri Lanka by offering a guaranteed, fast-track, cost-effective UK university education at a considerably reduced rate. “Our UK partner universities include eleven leading UK universities, four of whom belong to the elite Russell Group of UK universities. We are offering Sri Lankan students access to top UK universities at an affordable cost.”

The Northern Consortium, United Kingdom has a twenty year history of delivering highly regarded UK university undergraduate transfer programmes worldwide. The eleven NCUK founder universities own the International Foundation Year and International Diploma programmes which will be delivered at ANC. The owner universities collectively monitor the academic content and delivery of programmes to ensure they comply with the UK’s Quality Assurance Agency standards and deliver a comparable experience to that in the UK.

Jean Krasocki, Chief Executive Office at NCUK comments: “The NCUK’s pedigree is unrivalled in the UK and throughout our twenty year history, over 13,500 students have progressed from our programmes to degrees in the UK. Many of these students have obtained outstanding degree results and made a great contribution to their local societies and economies. In ANC, we have found a Sri Lankan partner of astounding quality and experience in delivering education with global opportunities. Together, ANC and the NCUK are creating a unique, challenging and highly rewarding UK academic and cultural experience here in Sri Lanka – an experience valued both by students and the universities that welcome them on transfer.”

The NCUK programmes will be offered at ANC under the brand name ANC-UK. The programmes will include an International Foundation Year (IFY) programme which can be completed in one year and is equivalent to A/levels and an International Diploma (IDip) Programme offered in business, engineering, computer science and IT, which is equivalent to the first year of bachelor degree programmes. Entry to the IFY programme is from O levels and to the IDip from A levels. Students can progress to an extensive range of degrees at many UK universities following the IFY programme, but it is anticipated that most will continue on to the IDip and enter year 2 of one of over 200 honours degree programmes at the NCUK owner universities. On successful completion of either programme, progression is guaranteed. Students can graduate after 2 years in the UK or can take a sandwich programme which incorporates a year’s internship in between the second and final years and graduate after 3 years. Either way, students will graduate with a prestigious degree having saved significant time and costs.

Executive Director and CEO of ANC, Dr Punarjeeva Karunanayake stated that the time and cost savings gained by undertaking these programmes should not be under-estimated. “Students save time and money and enter the work place earlier”. Dr Karunanayake also added that while minimum entry criteria are applicable, the selection of the university will be subject to individual performance. “At the end of the day, we want to give the best to our students and it is important that their competencies, knowledge levels, abilities and strengths are matched to the right degree programme”.

The NCUK owner universities include the University of Sheffield, University of Manchester, University of Leeds, University of Liverpool, University of Bradford, University of Salford, Sheffield Hallam University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Huddersfield, Leeds Metropolitan University and Manchester Metropolitan University.

Other UK universities, the NCUK partner universities, also recognize the NCUK IFY programme for entry into the first year of their degree programmes. These NCUK partner universities include the University of Bristol, Aston University, University of Southampton, University of Sussex, University of Birmingham, University of Kent, Queen Mary - University of London, University of Portsmouth and Kingston University..