By Jakir Hossain
Pathway programmes, sometimes called foundation programmes, are getting more and more popular among international educators in recent years. While there is some variation in the pathway segment, these programmes typically have a few key similarities.
- These programmes are designed for students who are preparing to enter English-language undergraduate studies, particularly those who need English training or additional academic preparation; and
- They usually combine academic content with English language studies, study skills, and cultural adaptation courses.
Pathway programmes are not an academic degree or qualification but guarantee progression to undergraduate studies for students who successfully finish their foundation courses.
The pathway may be focused on a single institution, where the student either progresses to a single degree option or can select from various academic programmes at that university.
Other pathways follow a "hub and spoke" model, allowing students to exit their foundation studies and then choose from a variety of degree options at different partner universities.
Foundation programmes are one of the basic strategies available to universities to overcome the risk of admitting incoming students without adequate preparation or skills
said Hans de Wit, the director of the CIHE at Boston College.
A market of US$825 million
A recent study from StudyPortals and Cambridge English indicates there were attempts taken to measure the pathways market for the first time, and the study puts a value of US$825 million per year.
There were about 1,192 English-medium pathway programmes available in 2015, and in 2016, the total number of pathways listed on the portal has grown to 1,443, an increase of nearly 17% over the past year alone.
They have gone from 4% international students to 11% in a matter of seven years, boosting their income from international tuition to US$100 million a year and going from having 970 international students to over 4,000
said Tim O’Brien, vice president of global business intelligence and development at INTO University Partnerships.