Between 1946 and 1970, the University of London had ‘special relationships’ with a number of universities across the Commonwealth, enabling them to award University of London degrees. One such example was the University College of the West Indies, which created a number of well-known graduates, including the Honourable ANR Robinson, who graduated with an LLB in 1949. Arthur Robinson was Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago between 1986 and 1991 and President from 1997 to 2003. He is also credited with helping to establish the International Criminal Court, by proposing the creation of a permanent international court to deal with the illegal drug trade during the UN General Congress in 1989.
Media - Global community
Our global community of former students and alumni include many exceptional people who have made their mark on the world.
Six Nobel Prize Winners:
- Sir Frederick Gowland Hopkins
- Ronald Coase
- Wole Soyinka
- Derek Walcott
- Rolph Payet and,
- Nelson Mandela.
This list also includes academics (Asa Briggs, Kwasi Wiredu, Sir Geoffrey Elton); engineers (Sir Barnes Wallis); politicians (Dr Luisa Diogo, Gisela Stuart MP); and writers (H.G. Wells, Chinua Achebe, Malcolm Bradbury).
Today, our worldwide reputation continues to ensure our graduates are to be found in leading positions around the world.
ANR Robinson - graduated 1949
Former President of Trinidad and Tobago
Dianne Thompson - graduated 1971
CEO Camelot Group
Dianne Thompson studied for degrees in French and English with the University of London International Programmes. She is now CEO of Camelot Group, the company which operates the UK National Lottery.
The University of London International Programmes boasts many graduates who have risen to the top of their fields in business and industry. British businesswoman Dianne Thompson started her career in marketing after gaining a degree in French and English as a University of London International Programmes student at Manchester Polytechnic. She was director of marketing at retail chain Woolworths and ran her own advertising agency before joining the Camelot Group, the company which operates the UK National Lottery. She was instrumental in defeating Sir Richard Branson’s bid to take over the lottery license in 2000 and was promoted to Chief Executive, a position she has held ever since. As CEO, she has overseen the National Lottery generating billions of dollars for charities and good causes.
Dr Dipu Moni - graduated 2005
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Another powerful female graduate of the University of London International Programmes is Dr Dipu Moni, the Minister of Foreign Affairs in Bangladesh since 2009. She is the first woman to become the foreign minister of a South Asian country. A doctor by profession, Dipu Moni gained a Master of Laws from the University of London International Programmes in 2005. Since entering politics, her focus has been women’s rights and entitlements, health legislation and human rights.
Dr Rolph Payet - graduated 2006
Joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize
Dr Rolph Payet, of Seychelles, was a joint winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007 as a member of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. An advisor on the Environment to the President of Seychelles, Dr Payet continues to work towards advancing issues on climate change and biodiversity. His work on global oceans and island policy has achieved international recognition and he has been invited personally by the UN Secretary General to address a high level panel at the UN General Assembly. Payet holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Environmental Economics from the University of London International Programmes. Payet is the first and current President & Vice-Chancellor of the University of Seychelles.
Gisela Stuart - graduated 1993
MP
Gisela Stuart, a British Member of Parliament for Birmingham Edgbaston, gained an LLB from the University of London International Programmes in 1993. Without it, she says she would never have become an MP. She recalls the graduation ceremony at London’s Barbican Centre as being ‘one of the most moving and magnificent experiences of my life’. She was elected in 1997 and was a junior health minister until 2001. Stuart, who was born and raised in Germany, sat on the European Convention’s 13-strong steering group.