Under the new scheme students at Westminster College will be able to complete a University Foundation programme at the college, providing them with direct admission to one of the 20 foreign universities.

The College is currently preparing students for degree courses in Biological and Chemical Sciences, Business Management, Accounting, Economics, Computer Science, Electronic Engineering, Drama and Media Studies, Law, Languages, Mathematical Sciences, Natural Sciences, Marketing with Media Communications, International Studies, Civil and Structural Engineering, Architecture, International Studies with Journalism, Journalism with Communication Studies, Biomedical Sciences and Construction Management.

Chief Johnson Barovbe, the Managing Director of Westminster College, praised the scheme as a means of encouraging students to study abroad and saving families money; rather than a full three years abroad, the Foundation programme allows students to study one year in Nigeria and the following two overseas.

The relationship between Westminster College and it’s foreign partners also includes support for students and their families in obtaining visas for overseas study.

Amongst the UK universities involved in the programme are the University of Nottingham, the University of Dundee, the University of Essex, Queen’s University Belfast, the University of Survey, the University of Salford, the University of Plymouth, the University of Worcester, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Hull, the University of Buckingham, the University of Bedfordshire, the University of East London and the University of Huddersfield. Students may also study at Canadian institutions such as Wilfrid Laurier University or Hungarian schools such as the University of Debrecen.

The collaboration between Canada’s visa offices in India and the Association of Canadian Community Colleges has also succeeded in increasing the visa approval rate from 27% to 87%.

The fast-track programme for applicants only came into place 9 months ago but the immediate effect for Indian applicants is obvious. Under the previous system many students had to wait for up to 8 months for a visa decision, with many receiving disappointing responses. Dharam Pratap Singh, a student at Centennial College, described the situation for many Indian students as “a year lost.”

The new system has slashed waiting times, with the average visa application process now taking 2 and a half weeks rather than 8 months. The programme is proving popular in both India and Canada; students appreciate the faster turn-around time, whilst colleges have praised the programme for helping Canada compete with other popular student destinations like the US, UK and Australia. International students are also a great benefit to the Canadian economy, having created an estimated 83,000 jobs and generating $6.5bn.

To find out more about studying in Canada read the latest edition of i-studentadvisor Canada.