UNSW Transition Program Online expands globally

Delivered in partnership with edtech company OpenLearning, UNSW Global’s Transition Program Online will now open avenues to study at University of Auckland in New Zealand, as well as Aberystwyth University, Arts University Bournemouth, Brunel University London and TEDI London in the UK.

According to the partners, the purpose-built online program – first launched in early 2021 – will “tap into a more diverse international student cohort” by offering a selection of university options.

“By establishing these new partnerships with universities in New Zealand and the UK, it shows that they recognise the potential of UNSW Global students once they complete our academically-rigorous online program,” Acting CEO at UNSW Global, Sarah Lightfoot said.

“We are also helping to expand our new partners’ reach to a more diverse cohort of students, by bringing quality international education opportunities to students around the globe.”

Graduates of the flagship online pathway program who also meet the GPA requirements will now be accepted by the five institutions. Currently, 86% of students progress from Transition Program Online into a UNSW undergraduate degree or a UNSW Diploma.

“UNSW Transition Program Online was created to give students a superior online learning experience, and the opportunity to progress to UNSW Sydney from anywhere in the world,” OpenLearning CEO Adam Brimo said.

For Auckland, the partnership is part of the institution’s TNE strategy and work to expand the pathways by which students can come to New Zealand, director International of The University of Auckland Brett Berquist explained.

The UNSW TPO is a “logical extension” of other initiatives it has rolled out, including its foundation centre in Beijing through NCUK earlier in 2021 and a location with Study Group in Shanghai that serves University of Sydney and University of Auckland foundation students.

“UNSW Global’s online transition program provides greater access for international students to quality university education”

It also launched a study hub concept in Vietnam in partnership with UP Education earlier this year.

“UNSW Global’s online transition program is an innovative approach, providing greater access for international students to quality university education,” Berquist noted.

“Students who completed their high school qualification but may have narrowly missed out on meeting the university’s minimum entry requirements, can take this accelerated transition program to enhance their learning and get the grades for the next available intake.”

While students will still need to apply to the University of Auckland and admissions teams will assess each application, the institution will publish guaranteed entry scores so “students and agents will know exactly what score is needed to enter each of our bachelor degree programs”.

“This provides clarity and transparency to potential applicants,” Berquist added.

Combining UNSW-developed curriculum and OpenLearning’s learning platform, the program’s streams cover Commerce, Actuarial Studies, Life Science, Physical Science and Design over 16 weeks.

“With these new partnerships, the program will appeal to a wider range of students and provide them with more choices,” Brimo added.

“This highlights how a reimagined delivery model can empower students to achieve quality learning outcomes through active learning, with high engagement, regular feedback and coaching. Our feedback from students is that they never thought online learning could be this engaging.”

More partners will be announced over the coming months.