PAST PRESENT FUTURE
pioneer in the development of fibre optics. 2015 marked the year of the 150th anniversary of the first examination overseas in Mauritius through the International Programmes, then known as the External System. This was not only a milestone in the history of the University of London but also instrumental in changing the landscape of higher education 100 years ahead of anyone else – before anyone had even thought of distance and flexible learning or, indeed, global education. Most of the International Programmes’ students are currently concentrated in Asia Pacific, Western Europe and Asia.
The University of London International Programmes reaches and connects over one million students in 180 countries, with more than 50,000 students registered for full study programmes and over one million students enrolled on short courses (Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs) through the Coursera online platform. Alumni include many people who have shaped the world we live in, such as leaders of business and industry, judges, authors, scientists and politicians. Seven past students have also won Nobel Prizes, including Nelson Mandela, British economist Ronald Coase, the eminent Caribbean writer Derek Walcott, and Hong Kong-born Charles Kao, who is a
U niversity of London International Programmes graduation ceremony in Mauritius
Sidney Webb (later Lord Passfield) achieves a University of London LLB as a ‘non-collegiate’ student
1885
1886
At least 16 institutions in England and Wales are offering University of London degrees by ‘External’ study
1888
Frederick Gowland Hopkins, winner of the Nobel Prize in 1929, graduates as a ‘noncollegiate’ student of the University of London
1890
The first University of London student graduates after taking examinations in Hong Kong
1891
University of London examinations are held in 18 centres worldwide
1899
HG Wells achieves first class honours in zoology and second class honours in geology as a ‘noncollegiate’ University of London student
1900
University of London examinations are first held in Singapore and Trinidad
1905
Re-establishment of the University of London with ‘Internal’ and ‘External’ sides
1906
The Haldane Report proposes to reduce and eventually abolish the External work of the University, but the Report is laid aside because of the advent of the First World War in 1914
1913
DH Lawrence starts to study for the University of London BA as an External student at University College Nottingham, but does not complete the course
1916
University of London examinations are first held in the Malay States (Kuala Lumpur)
1917
TS Eliot becomes a London Extension teacher University of London examinations are held in Ruhleben Internment Camp, Germany
1920
Foundation of the Commerce Degree Bureau, offering support to External students in this subject area
17