Global InformationUniversity of London Worldwide information
 Logo including the coat of arms | |
Former names | University of London External System (1900 to 2010) University of London International Programmes/International Academy (2010 to 2018) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public |
| Established | 1858 |
Parent institution | University of London[1][2] |
| Chancellor | The Princess Royal (as Chancellor of the University of London) |
| Vice-Chancellor | Wendy Thomson CBE[3] |
| Students | 40,675 (2018/19)[4] |
| Location | London , England |
| Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive | Mary Stiasny, OBE[5] |
| Colours | |
| Website | london.ac.uk |
The University of London Worldwide (previously called the University of London International Academy) is the central academic body that manages external study programmes[6] within the federal University of London. All courses are branded as simply "University of London", having previously been "University of London International Programmes" and earlier "University of London External Programmes".[1][2] It claims to be the world's oldest distance and flexible learning body, established under the University of London's royal charter of 1858,[7][third-party source needed][8][better source needed] although academics have disputed whether it offered distance learning at that time.
Several member institutions of the University of London offer degrees through the programme, including Birkbeck, Goldsmiths, 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.
The system offers courses of study for undergraduate and postgraduate diplomas and degrees to more than 50,000 students around the world.[9] A designated member institution of the University of London acts as the lead institution for each course and is responsible for creating materials to allow students to study at their own pace. Examinations take place at testing centres around the world on specified dates. Hallmarks of the programme are its low cost in comparison to attendance in London, and the possibility of pursuing either full-time or part-time study. As stated in the University of London Statutes,[10] International Programmes students are graded on the same standard as internal students to ensure a uniform credentialing process.[11] A student who completes a course of study under the programme is awarded a University of London degree with a notation specifying which lead institution provided the instruction.
As of 2017[update], there are more than 100,000 University of London distance-learning alumni across the world, which include seven Nobel laureates, numerous presidents or prime ministers, current and former leaders of the Commonwealth of Nations, government ministers and Members of Parliament, academicians and notable judges. Currently, the global community of registered students number over 50,000 students in more than 180 countries[12] including Antarctica.[13][14]
- ^ a b "Thank you for embracing our new name". University of London. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ^ a b "University of London Worldwide Rebrand 2018" (PDF). University of London. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ^ "Vice-Chancellor". University of London. Retrieved 1 July 2019.
- ^ "Where do HE students come from?: Transnational education". HESA. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ "University of London International Programmes – Senior Leadership Team". University of London. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ "How the University is run". University of London. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ Groves, Nancy (17 May 2012). "Distance learning: the students who combine education and employment". The Guardian. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
- ^ Nwezeh, Chinese (2011). Wendy Evans; David Baker (eds.). Libraries and distance education. Elsevier Science. p. 179. ISBN 9781780632636.
{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help) - ^ "About Us", University of London International Programmes Website http://www.londoninternational.ac.uk/about_us/index.shtml
- ^ University of London Statutes, 14 December 2005. Archived 26 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ University of London Parity Standards, Document http://www.londonexternal.ac.uk/about_us/related_docs/parity_standards.pdf
- ^ "Our History". Retrieved 26 April 2018.
- ^ "Antarctica by degrees". University of London. Retrieved 1 December 2019.
- ^ "Studying from the bottom of the earth". University of London. Retrieved 1 December 2019.