A new £35M ‘live-learn’ facility for the University of Liverpool International College, developed by the University and Kaplan, has opened its doors and welcomed its first students this month.
The new home for the University of Liverpool International College (previously known as Liverpool International College), located in Paddington Village in the Knowledge Quarter, will accommodate students from all over the world who study with Kaplan for entry into the University’s degree programmes.
The facility provides state-of-the-art teaching as well as residential accommodation for 900 students.
Kaplan
The college was established more than 10 years ago as a result of the University’s partnership with Kaplan. The college delivers a range of courses to prepare international students for entry into university programmes, providing a bridge for students from education systems which do not directly map into UK higher education and the development of skills necessary for successful undergraduate or postgraduate study.
Since opening in 2007 with an initial cohort of 146 students, it has grown to become one of the largest embedded colleges in the UK. Over the decade, more than 6,500 students from almost 100 nationalities have studied at the college and around 15% of the University of Liverpool’s international recruitment is achieved via pathways at the college.
Outstanding opportunities
Leelee Yates, University of Liverpool International College Director, said: “This facility is a fantastic example of how two organisations can come together and create outstanding opportunities for students, staff and the wider community.”
Gavin Brown, Pro Vice Chancellor at the University, said, “This new College facility builds on the tremendous success of our partnership with Kaplan and helps to further develop new, student-centred pedagogies which will prepare students for future success at the University and beyond.”
A ‘landmark moment’
Liverpool’s £1 billion Paddington Village development is the UK’s largest new health and science campus currently under construction. It is a 30 acre development site. Paddington Village will be developed over three plots. The college and other schemes such as the RCP’s new northern homes are all in the central plot.
Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson said: “Paddington Village is one of Europe’s major life sciences development sites and its construction is a reflection of our ambition to create something unique – such as the RCP’s pioneering Spine scheme. The opening of the new University of Liverpool International College building is a landmark moment for Paddington Village.
“The site is transforming into a vibrant place to study and work. By the end of 2020 more people will be working here and the vision we had 8 years ago to create a world leading innovation centre will be fulfilled.”