UK education right next door

In an increasingly competitive business environment, parents are now investing in education that meets international standards, beginning at the undergraduate level.

That’s where Easton International Center for Management Studies comes in.

Set to launch its first academic year within the month, Easton offers British university education at a fraction of its costs by being an approved support center or ASC of the London School of Economics and Political Science and the Institute of Administrative Management, both of which are based in London, and of Heriot-Watt University, which has its main campus in Edinburgh.

In the case of Heriot-Watt, Easton is initially offering five programs – business administration, business and accounting, business and finance, financial management and accounting, and management – leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree. Heriot-Watt is the eighth oldest higher education institution in the United Kingdom, having begun as a college in 1821.

"Our management program is a highly flexible method of supported student learning covering core management subjects," said Heriot-Watt director of students John Dyson, who gave Easton a look-see late last week.

"We want students overseas to be able to obtain a British university degree in business and management similar to the degrees offered on-campus, without the inconvenience and cost of having to go to the United Kingdom to study," said Dyson.

The cost of a full academic year in the UK is approximately 15,000 pounds or roughly P1 million at the exchange rate of P70 to a pound sterling. This covers tuition and living expenses on-campus. The cost of the first stage, consisting of four modules of the management program in Easton, is P180,000.

Flexible

The Easton Lecture Centre is located in Ortigas Center. High school graduates, transferees and international students need to be at least 16 years old to apply for admission. There are no admission examinations.

Admission is based on the student’s qualifications and academic records, which are sent to his chosen UK university. It is the UK university which decides on whether or not the applicant will be accepted.

In the case of Heriot-Watt, a full-time student will be able to complete one stage per year and will be able to finish his university requirements in three years. Each degree has three stages and each stage consists of a number of modules. Modules are delivered primarily through written course materials or manuals especially prepared by the university. This is supplemented by web support, accessible only to authorized enrollees, and tutorials through the ASC.

Because of the flexibility built into the management program, a person can choose to study full-time or part-time to suit his financial and personal commitments. "A person who is employed but is seeking a second degree, which may enhance his current career or boost his employability abroad, can readily benefit from this arrangements," said Dyson.

To ensure the results of local student are equivalent to those achieved on-campus, examinations are prepared and properly marked by Heriot-Watt faculty in the UK. Easton is not involved in the exam arrangements. – CPSison