New Telford academy to attract students from across globe
Shropshire is to become home to a prestigious academy for students from across the globe, it was announced today.
Students will travel to the county from as far as China, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan.
The University of Wolverhampton is to launch an International Academy at its Priorslee Campus in Telford in a bid to attract more overseas students.
Launching this month with an intensive training programme, the academy will provide foundation courses for students from overseas to prepare them for life on the university's range of regular courses.
It will launch an international foundation year in September, giving students full preparation for their degree courses by teaching them languages and study skills, and a pre-masters course which will run in October to prepare students for higher-level learning.
Between 200 and 300 students will attend over the summer.
Lynne Leighton-Johnstone, principal of the International Academy, said: "This is a very exciting new development for the university and will provide a consolidated base for all international students.
"Our initial aim is to support international students who would like to study in England but have language barriers or gaps in their knowledge for their chosen subject. As the university of opportunity, we also aim to provide as many opportunities as possible for all staff and students, in line with our globalisation agenda. We are working closely with the university's International Centre and will be able to respond to demands that arise."
The courses will be conducted in existing rooms in Priorslee Hall, the old building on the campus which can be seen from the M54.
The ground and first floor of the building have been converted for use as the academy, to include refurbished teaching rooms, IT facilities and social spaces.
"We are lucky to have Priorslee Hall at Telford, a quintessentially English building which appeals to international students," Ms Leighton-Johnstone added.
The move has been welcomed locally, with Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota saying: "This will be a great thing for Telford."
