Pathways- An easier way Abroad
If an international university is your address for higher education, here's a sure shot option to help you set a firm footing

By Neha Bahl
Priyam Desai had a specialisation in Media and Communications on mind when she decided to pursue her Bachelors in Arts in Australia. However, just like any Indian student, fresh out of the school classroom, Priyam had her own set of dilemmas about getting into a distant, unknown and large university. She had made up her mind to join the Deakin University but the doubts prevailed. She was counselled by to take the Pathway approach. She was offered to do her first year of graduation at Melbourne Institute of Business & Technology (MIBT), a pathway college, located very much within the vicinity of two University campuses, both at Burwood and Geelong. The idea was to get into a study mode which would make her transition from school to University smoother.

"I sat in one of the MIBT computer labs, confused, new to atmosphere, people and backgrounds. I was there for my enrolment. It was then when a student mentor came to my rescue and reassured me. That marked my beginning at MIBT. Smaller class-size, personalised attention and a great affinity with my lecturers made it a fulfilling and inexplicable experience. The overall staff was really encouraging and helpful. It was like a family…a home away from home," enthused Priyam. An ex-MIBT now, she is pursuing her later years of Bachelors from Deakin University.

Well, Priyam is no exception. A number of students in India face similar jitters before they finally head for their overseas graduation or post graduation. Of late, increasingly a number of students have started taking the said route. Pathways as the name suggests are alternate modes of education/ transition programmes/ pre-degree programmes delivered at dedicated colleges leading to a degree from partner Universities. In the case discussed above, MIBT is a pathway college being run by the Navitas group, a global education provider, in partnership with the Deakin University, which is a public university.

Apart from students who are vary of getting into large campuses, this is ideal for students who are unable to gain direct entry to Universities as they do not fulfill the requisite entry criteria which are usually high (65-80% in Class XII for an undergraduate degree). "The pathway entry criteria are a little more flexible and accommodative as they are considered as preparatory programmes for students. It enables the student to raise his/her level and brings them at par with University standards before the final shift takes place. The entry point for pathways at the Navitas Colleges is both at the foundation level and at diploma level depending on the academic scores of the student. The foundation here implies that a student is legible to enroll even after 11th standard and do a foundation year which is equivalent to the 12th standard." explains Mr. Donal Ducie, Group Head, Marketing and Sales, Navitas Group. And after successful completion of the programme at the College, there is a provision of a direct entry to the partner University. In addition to Australia, the group is running colleges on similar formats in the UK, the US, Canada, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Zambia and Singapore.

Student councillors, however, see the pathway option in a more elaborate perspective. According to student councillor Ms Kellon Fernandes, students in India are used to a lot of handholding. Especially higher secondary students are given a lot of attention so that the school can boast of a loud result, as a whole. Though it works for some students, such attitude leaves most of them rather dependent for their academic needs. And a considerable number fail to take the challenges, particularly in case of an international university. "Here one needs to cope up socially and culturally apart from setting the academic tone right. The result of inability to take pressures from all ends is poor academic score or large number of dropouts. A pathway program in this case stands out as one of the most appropriate options as the gaps are taken care of in a very professional manner, without adding to the individual's study period. Also it is a great way to avert admission into a category C University on account of lesser academic score," she adds.

The pathway model enables a student to complete the degree at the same time as a University student. A three-year degree programme is delivered in a 1+2 model, where first year commences at the College followed by the next two years at the University. What' more? Most institutes also offer the students to go for a 'fast track' option, wherein they can combine a couple of units and complete the first year in a matter of 8 months and get on to the University. So, the graduation can be completed in 32 months rather than the usual 36 months. Also, since the colleges are a part of the larger University campus, one can avail all the facilities as offered to other regular university students including libraries, health, accommodation etc. So does all this come at an extra cost? Well, the answer is 'No'. Most institutes/colleges have a fee structure that is lower than the first year fee in the parent university.

Just like the graduate programs, a number of pathway colleges also have the pre-masters program in the offing. Combining English language training and academic studies, the PQP is designed for students whose academic qualifications and/or English proficiency levels are marginally below the entry requirements for postgraduate program.

So, if your forthcoming Board results do not spell great grades for you and you are inclined to go overseas for your graduate or post-graduate program, needn't fret. All you need is the right attitude, a willingness to put in best of your efforts and the right pathway to success!