UK vocational qualifications for Indian students

Edexcel International, the UK-based awarding body which offers joint academic and vocational qualifications with colleges worldwide, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE).

Edexcel will introduce the well-known BTEC Higher National Diploma (BTEC HND) for a wide range of vocational courses. The partnership will provide BTEC qualifications and students of colleges recognised by ISTE will qualify for employment opportunities or seek higher education at top universities worldwide.

Nitte Institute of Technology, Bangalore is the first college in Karnataka to implement the BTEC HND under the arrangement.

"Edexcel will provide necessary work-related syllabi to facilitate standalone delivery of the HNDs. The qualification will help students in obtaining degree placements overseas. It will also provide a Vocational Teacher Training Qualification for the use of ISTE members. Staff development from UK has already been imparted to select colleges on the methodology of delivery and assessment of HNDs," Nick Sansome, director, international solutions, Edexcel International, said.

Some of the courses offered in the vocational qualifications programme include art and design, business, construction, health and care, media, travel and tourism among others.

HND in computing is available in India for the five years. Those who complete the programme are eligible to get into the final year degree at the Indira Gandhi National Open University.

Similarly, with today's announcement, students will be able to transfer themselves to various open university courses in UK and US, especially in their final year.

The BTEC HND qualifications is offered in 105 countries where students can transfer globally for vocational or university programmes around the world. It forms a succinct entry route to the second or the third year of first degrees in most of the universities in the US, UK, Australia and Canada among others.

In 2003, about 3.5 million students registered themselves for various Edexcel programmes around the world. Edexcel issued 1.5 million certificates in 2003. The company also undertakes similar programmes for various corporates like Coca Cola, Sri Lankan Airlines, Marks & Spencer among others.