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Press Release 09/04/01

IBS UNDERGRADUATE OPEN DAYS A 
SUCCESS AND FIRST APPLICATIONS RECEIVED

Over 100 prospective students and their families attended the Isle of Man International Business School's recent Open Days for people interested in the BA (HONS) BUSINESS STUDIES undergraduate degree programme. Visitors were able to find out more about course content, grants and the full-time and part-time attendance options available. They also had the opportunity to meet staff from the International Business School and the Department of Education Grants Team who were on hand to answer questions. 

Ralph Thomas, Chairman of the International Business School's Board of Governors helped co-ordinate tours - showing visitors the facilities including lecture rooms and the Manx Telecom Learning Resource Centre - the IT facility where students will be able to produce documents and have unlimited internet access.

Commenting on the volume of people enquiring about courses, the International Business School's Registrar, Martin Gershman, said 'This is the first opportunity that people here have had to study a business degree programme that will be taught entirely on the Island. In the past, the options have been either to study by distance learning or leave the Island. The Manx Government have supported the International Business School because they wanted to improve the access to higher education for Manx people - the large number of enthusiastic enquiries that we have received confirms that there is a demand for these opportunities.'

As well as enquiries from this years school and college leavers - there are a significant number of 'mature students' interested in studying the Business Studies degree. Martin explained, 'We have had many enquiries from people who didn't go to university when they were younger either because they went straight into employment or because their personal circumstances meant that they did not wish to leave the Island. Because we are offering the option to take degrees on a part-time basis, people who are employed full-time see this as a way to improve their career prospects. If they are considering returning to study on a full-time basis they may be eligible for grants to fund course fees, living allowances and even childcare.'

The undergraduate open days also generated further enquiries about the MBA and two finance related MSc postgraduate degree programmes. Similar open days will be held for prospective students interested in these programmes.

Following the Open Days, the International Business School has received its first formal applications for places on the BA (HONS) BUSINESS STUDIES degree. Martin explained, 'Because our applications for September 2001 are not subject to UCAS deadlines, students can apply directly to the International Business School at any time. We are extremely pleased that these people have weighed up all the options available and chosen to study at the International Business School.'