OUSL partners with University of Essex for BSc degree course

The Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL) set forth their first step of linking the BSc Degree Programme with the University of Essex in the United Kingdom.

This transnational relationship uncovers new pathways of learning which are not accessible for local undergraduates at present, and strengthen the OUSL mission of life-changing education.

The signing of the progression agreement with the University of Essex was held on February 22 in the Senate House of the Open University of Sri Lanka in the presence of OUSL Vice Chancellor, Registrar, Deans and Heads of Departments, together with the Country Director of British Council of Sri Lanka.

“This progression agreement attained by the OUSL with the University of Essex for BSc Degree Programme is a milestone in the Sri Lankan higher education system for linking undergraduate degree programmes,” asserted Professor P M C Thilakarathne, Vice Chancellor OUSL.

Signing up for the BSc Degree Programme in the Faculty of Science enables students to make a choice at the end of Level 4 (second year) to persist in the OUSL or join with the BSc Degree in the University of Essex, UK through progression link. If the student is eligible to register for a special degree in the OUSL, at the completion of Level 5 (third year) you will be able to gain direct entry to the MSc programme in the University of Essex, UK. Students get to spend a minimum two years of studies in the OUSL and enroll to the BSc Degree programmes afterwards in the University of Essex under the scheme.

“This is an exciting opportunity to establish the first link agreement between two leading universities for education and research and we look forward to enjoying the success of our future collaborations,” highlighted the Vice Chancellor of the University of Essex.

These progression pathways lead to obtaining both local and foreign qualifications in Science from well recognised universities at an affordable rate. It enables students to choose the most appropriate institute for a relevant field of study and make informed decisions. We do hope this link between OUSL, and University of Essex offers a unique educational experience to build Sri Lankan students as global citizens.

“This opens up new learning avenues for our BSc undergraduates and may also lead to attracting a new cohort of prospective students aspiring to complete their degrees in the UK. The partnership reached through this agreement will be useful in developing deeper levels of international collaborations,” affirmed Dr Prasad Senadheera, Senior Lecturer in Botany, and Director of International Relations Unit of the OUSL.

The OUSL has also partnered with universities in Denmark to set forward student mobility programmes which aim to instill entrepreneurship skills and expose them to opportunities by offering paid internships, and in Belgium that targets students in Social Sciences.