The fact that the University of Birmingham is now opening up a branch in Dubai tells us a lot – and certainly provides proof to the claim that many universities around the world are looking to expand with international branches.
Sir David Eastwood, who is the voice-chancellor of the university claims that this expansion certainly provides proof of the university’s ‘global mission’. This branch of the university will open in Dubai in autumn.
However, most of the undergraduate and graduate courses, to be taught in English, will run from autumn 2018. While Dubai has no shortage of international brands all over, especially when you consider the diversity in the shopping malls that is provided with a various number of companies adapting to the luxuries of Dubai.
However, now, it seems that this life is not just restricted to fashion brands and such because now universities are also looking to bringing their expertise to the land of Dubai.
Birmingham’s new base will be in Dubai International Academic City, a purpose-built campus opened a decade ago, which already houses 26 universities from nine countries, with 25,000 students.
Students will be able to get the full degree value, without even having to leave the gulf. Birmingham University is not the only British university to have its branch in Dubai, as the likes of Exeter, Bradford, London Business school, and Heriot-Watt also have their branches in Dubai.
Many universities are now opening up their branches in other countries, and is this trend also seems to be followed by the US, Russia, Australia amongst others. This is a good option for students, as they can then bear the many expenses which otherwise might have been unthinkable of.
This internationalisation is also raising competition within Europe, with an increasing number of courses being taught in English, with the aim of attracting more overseas students.
Within the English-speaking countries, there has been some sort of a fluctuating trend going on. Over the past few years, we have seen the US and the UK dominating the area, however, now, it seems that certain countries, such as Canada are also following up.
