An international college which will prepare students from around the world to take up places at the University of Glasgow is to be established.

In a Scottish first, Glasgow International College will give students the chance to study in the city before entering Glasgow University.

With the first intake of students set to arrive in September 2007, the Glasgow International College will provide a full range of integrated academic and English language courses to set students up for study in one of Scotland's oldest universities.

The project, which will be run by Kaplan International Colleges in close collaboration with the University, will be located on the University of Glasgow's campus and offers courses designed to prepare international students for entry to the University's undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes in a range of disciplines including engineering, management, science and social sciences.

Professor Andrea Nolan, Vice Principal, Teaching and Learning, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the University of Glasgow.

"We want to prepare our students, whether from the UK or from overseas, for the global marketplace. While we're increasing opportunities for our students to study and work abroad, increasing our international student numbers at home is an ideal way to bring benefits to all our students.

"The University of Glasgow wants students at Glasgow International College to play a full part in student and campus life. Their presence, like that of all our international students, offers the potential to enrich the experience and enhance the social, educational and future professional networks of UK-based students.

"Coupled with the Scottish Executive's Fresh Talent scheme, it will also allow us to attract and retain the best people from around the world ﾖ which is of enormous economic benefit to the city and the country as a whole.

"The strength of the GIC arrangement is that it is preparing students in the local environment and in collaboration with University for eventual study as University of Glasgow students. A major objective in the model is to facilitate integration and progression onto the University's degree programmes."

The Glasgow International College will be located in a university building on Dumbarton Road.

The first intake of students to GIC is expected to number 250. By the time the college is fully established, in 2011, the intake figure is expected to be 800. Total student numbers by 2011 will be 1000.

After completing their studies at the Glasgow International College, the students will be eligible to enter the second or third year of an under-graduate degree course, depending on the programme studied and providing they meet the academic standard required.

Charles Hall, Managing Director of Kaplan International Colleges, said: "We are delighted to be working with the University of Glasgow to create an International College in Scotland, that will provide a tailored and flexible academic programme to international students. The University of Glasgow has a strong international brand and we are pleased to make available to the University Kaplan's growing global recruitment capability and experience of working with international students."

Kaplan International Colleges provide academic preparation programmes designed specifically to meet the needs of international students in the UK. The programmes provide students with a solid academic foundation in their chosen area combined with intensive English language preparation and academic study skills. Existing colleges are already operational with the University of Sheffield and Nottingham Trent University.

Ray McHugh (r.mchugh@admin.gla.ac.uk)

For further information, please contact Ray McHugh, Media Relations, University of Glasgow on 0141 330 3535 or email r.mchugh@admin.gla.ac.uk

Alternatively, you may contact Elizabeth Hess at Kaplan, Inc. on 020 7398 2580 or email: elizabeth.hess@kaplan.com

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in its research and teaching. With more than 15,000 undergraduate and 4000 postgraduate students, the University plays an important role in the cultural and commercial life of the country. For more information on the University of Glasgow, please visit www.gla.ac.uk

Kaplan, Inc., which had 2005 revenue of more than ?855million, is an education services provider that offers higher education, professional training, test preparation, services for K12 schools and after-school learning programmes. Kaplan is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE: WPO). For more information about Kaplan, please visit www.kaplan.com.

First published: 6 November 2006