Study in India and get a degree from abroad. That too at less than half the cost. Sounds too good to be true? Not really. Leeds Metropolitan University, which includes one of the largest business schools in the UK, recently set up its first campus in India in Bhopal.

The new partnership between Leeds Met UK and the Jagran Social Welfare Society Bhopal, a non-profit charitable organisation, will provide students an opportunity to receive a Leeds Met UK degree while studying in India. Speaking at the inauguration of the India campus, Elspeth Jones, international dean, Leeds Met UK, said, “The state-of-the-art campus will provide quality learning and leisure facilities. Students will enjoy savings of around 70 per cent on the cost of studying in the UK for the same degree.”

To maintain the standards of the parent institution, the faculty from Leeds Met UK will teach 30 per cent of the course content at the Indian campus. Students at Bhopal will also have access to Leeds Met UK’s online e-learning resources as well as get an opportunity to spend one semester at Leeds Met UK. “Students will gain exposure across two continents, which will enhance their professional development and career prospects,” says Jones.

Leeds Met UK has also appointed a full-time academic director who will stay on the Bhopal campus to ensure that standards equivalent to those in the UK are maintained. Professor Phil Clement, academic director for the next two years, assures, “Students will study under a model followed in the UK. There will be no specific textbooks, which will be quite a different experience from rote learning.” Clement also points out that students at Leeds Bhopal will be free from the pressure of written exams as they will be awarded degrees based on their scores in project work, presentations, case studies and dissertation.

Most undergraduate courses commenced in September 2009 and the postgraduate courses will start within a year. As of now, Leeds Bhopal offers BA in business and human resources management, business and management, international business, international hospitality business management, business studies and retail marketing management. Bachelor degrees will be offered in marketing, marketing and advertising management, and event management from September 2010.

Postgraduate courses such as MBA and MSc (finance, management, marketing, and international hospitality management) will commence in September next year. The duration of the undergraduate courses is three years and that of the postgraduate ones is one year. Says Zilmiyah Kamble, professor, international hospitality business management, “This course is different from other hospitality or hotel management courses as it will lay stress on building managerial skills. Students will not only be taught how to work as an individual but also manage a diverse workforce.”

All the courses are approved by the All India Council for Technical Education. The courses will also be monitored by the Quality Assurance Agency accredited by the British government. “For the international hospitality business management course, students will be sent to the UK for paid placement for a year where they will have an opportunity to earn up to £10,000 to £12,000,” says Jones. The institute will assist students find suitable accommodation during their stay in the UK. On an average, a student will spend £3,000-3,500 for one semester. The travelling and visa cost will be an additional Rs 60,000.

Students eager to apply to Leeds Bhopal can download the form from www.leedsmetindia.in. They can also request a paper copy from the team in India (admininfo@leedsmetindia.in). For admission to various undergraduate courses, a student would need to pass Plus Two from a recognised board in India with 60 per cent marks. The course fee varies between Rs 8.5 and 9 lakh. It can be paid in six equal instalments before the start of each semester. Banks like IDBI and Axis will provide educational loans. Leeds Bhopal already has students from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Saudi Arabia and Belgium. “We hope to receive applications from students from neighbouring countries who desire to receive quality education nearer home at affordable prices,” says Clement.

Accommodation facilities comprise single or twin bedrooms (with or without air conditioning) with television and Wi-Fi access. Learning facilities include a library that will remain open 14 hours a day. The campus will also have a theatre, art centre, shops, an exhibition space and food courts and coffee shops. The fitness centre includes a swimming pool, squash courts and a state-of-the-art gym. Tennis and basketball courts would also be built.

Despite these amenities, day students may face a problem. Commuting can be difficult as the campus is located far from the city and conveyance, apart from that provided by the institute, is hard to come by.

Vital Statistics

WHAT IS IT? A management school in collaboration with Leeds Metropolitan University, the UK

WHO’S THE BOSS? Phil Clement is the academicdirector

Where is it? 83/2, The Green Bowl, Chandanpura, near Kaliasot Barrage, Bhopal Phone: 9203901284 / 85 / 86, Website: www.leedsmetindia.in

pros Professors from Leeds Met UK will teach 30 per cent of the curriculum

Cons Students may face a problem in commuting as the institute is located far away from the city