FAQs for Institutions
FAQs
- Is an institution a recognised provider or an authorised centre?
- Is an 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 take local tuition to complete my degree?
- What sort of standard of tuition can I expect to receive an institution?
- Do I have to pay separate fees to an institution and the University of London?
- I have a complaint about an 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 with the University of London International Programmes in the UK? How do I arrange a visa?
- Do I have to have tuition for a Diploma in Economics/Social Sciences/Law/Computing and Information Systems (CIS)/Creative Computing?
- Will the name of my teaching institution appear on my degree certificate?
1. Is an 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 institutions policy framework. This encompasses a quality assurance framework based on a number of criteria. 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 Institutions directory (opens new window). to see if the particular institution is listed.
2. Is an 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. The only exceptions are the Diplomas in Economics, Computing and Information Systems, Creative Computing, Law, and Social Science, and Access Programme to the BSc Business Administration 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 Institutions directory (opens new window). 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 section about Advice for choosing a institution 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 the institution directly if you have any questions about the services it offers.
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. You may wish to consult the Institutions directory (opens new window).to check for institutions that provide support by distance learning for the course you are interested in.
6. Do I have to take local tuition to complete my degree?
No – our courses are designed for independent study. Unless you are studying on one of the Diplomas in Computing and Information Systems, Creative Computing, Economics, Laws or Social Sciences, or Access programme for the BSc Business Administration you do not have to attend an institution as part of your course.
7. What sort of standard of tuition can I expect to receive at an institution?
Many institutions provide a high standard of support, and enable their students to succeed on our programmes. As a guide to students, we have developed 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 teh section on Advice about choosing an institution for questions to consider before enrolling at an institution.
8. Do I have to pay separate fees to an 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 an 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 your studies with an institution, you should check with us that you are eligible for your chosen course, and submit your application to the University of London. For information about applying and registering to be a student, please see 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 fill change of details form.
12. Can I study with the University of London International Programmes 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. University of London staff will therefore be unable to provide you with assistance to gain a visa. If you are considering attending an institution in the UK and do not live in the UK, you should contact the institution for advice.
13. Do I have to have tuition for a Diploma in Economics/Social Sciences/Law/Computing and Information Systems (CIS)/Creative Computing?
Yes, to study for one of these qualifications, you MUST be enrolled at a recognised centre, which has Diploma Teaching status to teach these courses by the University. You will find these institutions listed in the Institutions directory (opens new window)..
14. Will the name of my teaching institution appear on my degree certificate?
The tuition you receive from an institution is an 'added extra'. The degree you will receive is a University of London degree. The name of the institution does not appear on the certificate.