Solent University, based in Southampton, UK, has partnered with QA Higher Education to create an International Pathway College on its campus.

The IPC will offer an international foundation program and pre-sessional English courses, supporting international students to progress on to an undergraduate course at Solent University.

The courses, starting in September 2018, will be delivered by QAHE staff, validated by the university and will offer a guaranteed progression on to Creative, Engineering, Art, Computing, and Business undergraduate degrees at Solent.

The first academic program will be attended by approximately 30 students, but the number “is set to rise in the future” the university said in a statement.

“Southampton and the south coast of England are attractive to International students, and Solent have an exciting vision for the future,” Julie Noone, Managing Director of QAHE said, adding the company is delighted to work with Solent on its strategic internationalization plans.

The university has a goal to make its student body 20% international by 2020 and has been investing in internationalization strategies such as student and staff exchanges, joint research projects and international partnerships.

This partnership and the creation of an International Pathway College is part of Solent’s strategy to increase its international student enrolment.

“Increasing recruitment of international students is a strategic priority for Solent, so this is an exciting development,” Solent vice-chancellor Graham Baldwin said in a statement.

“Welcoming more international students to access our world-class education will also benefit our UK students, as we continue to prepare everyone studying here for a future in an increasingly globalized society where experience with different backgrounds, cultures, and opportunities will be invaluable.”

QAHE’s other partnerships in the international pathways market include Northumbria University and the University of Roehampton.