FAQs (Institutions)
- Is xx institution a recognised provider or an authorised centre?
- Is xx institution offering University of London degrees as part of a franchising arrangement or twinning programme?
- What if an institution is not listed in the Directory?
- What if I have questions about the services an institution offers?
- What if local support is not available near where I live?
- Do I have to participate in local tuition to complete my degree?
- What sort of standard of tuition can I expect to receive at (institution)?
- Do I have to pay separate fees to (institution) and the University of London?
- I have a complaint about (institution), what should I do?
- I’ve been told by my teaching institution that I have to register with you. How do I do this?
- I’ve decided to move to another institution. Do I have to tell the University about this?
- Can I study the External System in the UK? How do I arrange a visa?
- Do I have to have tuition for a Diploma in Economics/Law/Computing and Information Systems (CIS)/Creative Computing?
- Will the name of my teaching institution appear on my degree certificate?
1. Is xx institution a recognised provider by the University of London International Programmes?
We officially recognise institutions that offer study support to students
of the University of London International Programmes within our quality assurance framework, so you
can rely on the standards of the teaching, support and administration that you will receive. Institutions
offering support within our framework are known as recognised centres and have been awarded either
Affiliate or Registered Centre status. Affiliate Centres have demonstrated a long-term commitment
to quality of teaching, support and administration. Recognised centre status applies to specific programmes
on certain campuses. Please see the Directory of Institutions to
see if the particular institution is listed.
2. Is xx institution offering University of London
degrees as part of a franchising arrangement or twinning programme?
Although we have a process for recognising institutions
whose teaching, support and administration falls within our quality assurance framework, we
do not allow any institution to offer our programmes as part of a franchise arrangement
or twinning programme. It remains the students’ choice as to whether they attend an institution
and which they attend. The only exceptions are the Diplomas in Economics, Computing and Information
Systems, Creative Computing, Law, and Social Science, which have been designed as taught
programmes. Students must attend an institution which has recognised status to teach these programmes.
You can find out from the Directory
of Institutions which institutions teach these courses.
3. What if an institution is not listed in the Directory?
The Directory of Institutions lists those institutions that are recognised as well as those institutions
that have formally commenced the process for becoming recognised.
It is possible that we are in the early stage of discussions with an institution that is not listed
on the Directory, however we would not be able to comment on them at this time. If an institution
is not listed on the Directory we advise you to undertake your own research on them. The check
list provides guidance on some of the issues you should consider.
4. What if I have questions about the services an institution
offers?
You should contact them directly if you have any questions about the services they offer.
5. What if local support is not available near where I live?
In the absence of local support why not consider correspondence or online tutorial support with an institution which provides this.
6. Do I have to participate in local tuition to complete
my degree?
No – our courses are designed for self-directed study. Unless you are studying on one of the
Diplomas in Computing and Information Systems, Creative Computing, Economics, Laws or Social Sciences,
you do not have to attend an institution as part of your course, though you might find that you, personally, benefit from it.
7. What sort of standard of tuition can I expect to receive
at (institution)?
Many institutions provide a very high standard of support, and enable their students to succeed
on our courses. As a guide to students we have set up a quality assurance framework, which recognises institutions that operate within our guidelines. Many students are very pleased with the support they receive, but every year, some
students, regrettably, are disappointed. It is very important that you research the institution
yourself, to make sure the support it offers meets your particular needs.
To ensure you receive a high standard of tuition, please refer to our check list for questions to consider before enrolling at an institution.
8. Do I have to pay separate fees to (institution) and
the University of London?
Yes. The fees you pay to the University of London cover your admission, registration, study materials and examinations. If you choose to supplement your University of London studies, you will also have to pay fees to the institution. The University of London has no part in the fees charged by an institution. Any financial arrangement you make with an institution is entirely your own responsibility. The University will not become involved in the event of any financial dispute you may have with an institution.
9. I have a complaint about (institution), what should I
do?
If you unfortunately wish to make a complaint about an institution, please first make sure that you raise it with the institution, as usually disagreements can be resolved quickly and amicably. If you still wish to make a complaint, please refer to our student complaints policy.
10. I’ve been told by my teaching institution that I
have to register with you. How do I do this?
Enrolment at an institution is not the same as registration with the University of London. Before
you start with an institution, you should check with us that you are eligible for our courses,
and submit an application to the University of London. For information about applying and registering
to be a student, please see the how to apply section
of the site.
11. I’ve decided to move to another institution.
Do I have to tell the University about this?
You are free to study wherever and however you choose. You are not therefore obliged to tell us what
support you are getting, but it is useful for us to have this information, and we are very grateful
for your cooperation with this. When you register for your course you will have the opportunity
to let us know which institution you are attending. If this changes, please email External.Registry@london.ac.uk.
12. Can I study the External System in the UK? How do
I arrange a visa?
Because of their flexibility, our courses can be studied anywhere in the world. However, as students
are not under any obligation to study in the UK, registration as a student of the University of London
International Programmes is not sufficient for visa purposes if you live outside the UK. University
of London staff will therefore be unable to provide you with assistance to gain a visa. If you are
considering attending a course of study at an institution in the UK and do not live in the UK, you
should contact them for advice.
13. Do I have to have tuition for a Diploma in Economics/Law/Computing and Information Systems (CIS)/Creative
Computing?
Yes, to study for one of these qualifications, you MUST be enrolled full time at a recognised centre, which
has recognised status to teach these courses by the University. You will find these institutions
listed in the Directory
of Institutions.
14. Will the name of my teaching institution appear
on my degree certificate?
The tuition you receive from an institution is an ‘added extra’ of your own selection. The programme of study and examinations are entirely controlled by the University of London, and the degree you will receive is a University of London degree. The name of the institution does not appear on the certificate.