Frequently Asked Questions

Q1	What is the Diploma in Economics?
Q2	What is the relationship between the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the University of London?
Q3	What is the relationship between LSE and the International Institute for Technology and Management (IITM)?
Q4	Where can I study for the Diploma in Economics in Dubai?
Q5	What subjects will I take in the Diploma in Economics with IITM?
Q6	When I have passed the Diploma, what are my options?
Q7	Which universities would I be able to transfer to after the Diploma?
Q8	Are the classes held during the day-time or in the evening?
Q9	I’m working full-time. Will I still be able to study?
Q10	What subjects should I take to study for a BSc degree at IITM?
Q11	Who is eligible to apply for admission to the 1-year Diploma in Economics programme at IITM?
Q12	Who is eligible to apply for admission to the 2-year Diploma in Economics programme at IITM?
Q13	Who is eligible to apply for admission to the BSc programme at IITM?
Q14	What is the duration of the BSc programme at IITM?
Q15	What is the application procedure for the 1-year Diploma in Economics?
Q16	What is the application procedure for the 2-year Diploma in Economics?
Q17	What happens after I submit my application for the BSc programme?
Q18	What happens after I submit my application for the 1-year/2-year Diploma?
Q19	What happens in the placement test?
Q20	Where will the placement test take place, and what should I bring with me?
Q21	When can I register for these qualifications?
Q22	When do classes start?
Q23	What will it cost to study for these qualifications?
Q24	What study materials will I receive upon registration?
Q25	Are textbooks included in the fees for study materials?
Q26	Where will my examinations be held?
Q27	What is the method of assessment for these qualifications?
Q28	Who will grade the scripts for the examinations?
Q29	What will I receive after I complete this qualification?
Q30	What is the difference between a student enrolled in the UK and an external student?
Q31	Is the academic standing of the degree for an external student the same as for a student enrolled in the UK?
Q32	What about the degree itself? Is there any difference in the degree for external students and those enrolled in the UK?
Q33	Is the University of London recognized?
Q34	Is there any difference in the cost of studying at LSE in London, and IITM in Dubai?
Q35	What additional expenditure could I expect to incur?
Q36	On successful completion of the Diploma, what will I receive?
Q37	On successful completion of the degree programme, what will I receive?
Q38	What are my options after completing my BSc degree?
Q39	Where is IITM located?
Q40	Will IITM provide transportation to Knowledge Village?
Q41	I am almost 18 yrs of age. Will IITM provide me visa assistance?

Q1. What is the Diploma in Economics?

The Diploma in Economics allows students to enrol for a University of London degree, whether or not they have the formal qualifications to enrol into an undergraduate degree program, as long as they have the necessary academic background, motivation and potential to study at degree level.

Students who do not have the formal qualifications to enrol on a University of London degree may, after completing high school, enrol to study the Diploma in Economics. The Diploma has been specifically designed by The London School of Economics and Political Science for students who wish to study externally for University of London diplomas and degrees. Students who successfully complete the Diploma in Economics may continue to study for a further 2 years in order to receive a University of London BSc degree.

The Diploma in Economics is equivalent to the first year of the following University of London degrees:

• BSc Accounting and Finance
• BSc Banking and Finance
• BSc Business
• BSc Economics and Management
• BSc Information Systems and Management
• BSc Economics
• BSc Mathematics and Economics
• BSc Management
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) [New proposed programme]
• BA English [New proposed programme]
• BSc International Relations [New proposed programme]

• continue further full-time study for the University of London degree programme with IITM at Knowledge Village, Dubai
• OR apply and be considered for admission to the second year of an appropriate degree at LSE, London, UK
• OR apply and be considered for admission to the second year of an appropriate degree at over twenty-five universities in the United Kingdom and at leading universities in Australia, Canada and the USA

• University of Bath
• University of Lancaster
• University of Birmingham
• University of Leicester
• University of Bradford
• University of Liverpool
• Brunel University
• University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
• University of Nottingham
• University of Salford
• University of East Anglia
• Staffordshire University
• University of Essex
• University College Swansea
• University of Exeter
• University of York
• Royal Holloway College, University of London
• Queen Mary College, University of London
• University of Hull
• University of Kent
• University of Glasgow

• BSc Accounting and Finance (see page 11 of the Prospectus)
• BSc Banking and Finance (see page 12 of the Prospectus)
• BSc Business (see page 13 of the Prospectus)
• BSc Economics (see page 15 of the Prospectus)
• BSc Information Systems and Management (see page 18 of Prospectus)
• BSc Management (see page 20 of the Prospectus)
• BSc Mathematics and Economics (see page 21 of the Prospectus)
• BSc Economics and Management (see page 17 of the Prospectus)
• BSc International Relations (see page 19 of the prospectus)
• Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (see page 26 of the prospectus)
• BA English

• have attained 18 years of age by 31 December in the year of registration
• AND have passed mathematics at Grade XII or GCSE

• The application of students who are below 18 years of age will be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis by University of London.
• have passed Grade X/XII, GED, or GCSEs

• have completed the Diploma in Economics
• OR have completed First year requirements of the BSc directly with the University of London or any of the other institutions that have ’Permission To Teach‘ status

• A completed IITM Diploma in Economics application form
• Photocopies of ‘O’ and ‘A’ Level certificates, attested by the British Council,
  Dubai, UAE. (Unfortunately we cannot accept photocopies that have been verified by anyone other than a British Council official.)

• Completed IITM Diploma in Economics application form.
• Photocopies of Grade X/XII or GED mark sheet(s) or GCSE certificates, attested by the relevant school authorities.

• an offer letter
• a University of London registration form
• a fee slip
• a copy of the current University of London regulations

• data provided in the IITM application form
• previous academic record
• results of the entrance tests in mathematics and English
• interview conducted by the IITM Programme Director

• a letter offering a place on the 1-year Diploma in Economics programme
• a University of London registration form
• a fee slip for payment of registration fees
• a copy of the current University of London regulations

• a letter offering a place on the 2-year Diploma in Economics programme
• a University of London registration form
• a fee slip for payment of registration fees
• a copy of the current University of London regulations

• multiple choice grammar correction
• sentence correction
• comprehension
• essay-writing

• basic mathematics
• algebra
• basic factorisation
• linear equations
• trigonometry
• calculus

Q20. Where will the placement test take place, and what should I bring with me?
The placement test will take place at IITM’s main office in Knowledge Village. Writing material will be provided to very candidate. You may however, bring a simple, non-programmable calculator and writing instruments. The use of cellular phones or other devices as calculators will not be permitted.

Q21. When can I register for these qualifications?
Admissions for this programme close on 12th September, 2007. Students are encouraged to apply early due to limited availability of places at the IITM campus in Knowledge Village and to the stringent selection process for the Diploma in Economics. Unfortunately, we will not be able to process application forms received after the 12th September deadline.

Q22. When do classes start?
Classes for all qualifications begin on 15th September, 2007

Q23. What will it cost to study for these qualifications?

Tuition fees payable to IITM: This component relates to the tuition fee payable to IITM for lectures, tutorials and other academic services.

• Students enrolled for the 3-year Bachelor degree programme make 36 payments of AED 1,675, by post-dated cheques, of which, 12 instalments are parable every year for 3 years.

Administrative fees payable to the University of London:

• This component relates to the registration fee, application handling fee, continuing registration fee and examination fee, all of which are directly payable to the University of London.
• IITM estimates that the total fees for this component will be approximately AED 15,000 for the entire BSc programme. Please note that this component is entirely at the discretion of the University of London and is subject to yearly revisions and pound sterling currency fluctuations.

Annual fee:

• A registration fee of AED 1,700 per annum, payable for each year the student remains registered with IITM.
• Library Deposit of AED 600 per annum, which is refundable.

Q24. What study materials will I receive upon registration?
You will be provided with the following materials, the cost of which is included in your initial and continuing registration fees:

• A handbook containing academic advice on effective study techniques, planning your studies, using the materials provided and preparing for examinations.
• Subject guides for each unit studied. These guides introduce you to topics within the syllabus and should be used alongside the textbooks which are recommended to you in the guides. The guides show you how to use textbooks in an organised and productive manner. When you register, you will receive a subject guide for each new unit plus any revised guides for units that you are continuing.
• Past examination papers and Examiners’ Reports. The Examiners’ Reports give an indication of how individual questions should have been approached. When you first register, you will be sent the last three years’ papers and reports, if available, and then, at the end of each subsequent year, you will be sent the paper and report for that year’s examinations.
• Regulations containing full details of important information such as syllabuses, structures, fees, entering for examinations and degree classification criteria (as appropriate).

Q25. Are textbooks included in the fees for study materials?
No, textbooks are NOT part of the study materials package. IITM expects students to have one copy of the prescribed main text for each subject the student is registered for. However, IITM students will have access to the IITM library.

Q26. Where will my examinations be held?
All exams will be held at the British Council, Dubai, UAE, in the months of May and June.

Q27. What is the method of assessment for these qualifications?
The examinations for external students are of the same standard as those set for students studying at LSE. Individual academic staff of the University are directly involved in the external programme and they develop the syllabuses, write study materials, set examination papers and mark scripts. Each full unit is assessed by an unseen, three-hour traditional examination, and each half-unit is assessed by an unseen two-hour traditional examination. The examinations for Introduction to Information Systems, Software Engineering and Information Systems project will involve the submission of course work or a project as well as an unseen written examination. All enrolled students’ work is assessed to exactly the same standard as that of a student who attends classes in London. No concession in quality or academic rigour is made for external students.

Q28. Who will grade the scripts for the examinations?
The University of London academic staff prepare examination papers and mark scripts for all qualifications. IITM does not mark any exams and does not issue transcripts for the programme. All such materials are directly issued by the University of London to the external student.

Q29. What will I receive after I complete this qualification?
Students who successfully fulfil the requirements of the Diploma in Economics will be awarded the Diploma in Economics from the University of London.

Students who successfully fulfil the requirements of the BSc degree programme will receive a University of London degree. The degree certificate states that the student has studied as an external student and carries the following extract from the Statues of the University of London: Statute 66(2) states, ‘Candidates granted degrees and other awards shall have attained the same academic standard irrespective of mode or place of study or examination’. There is only one University of London degree and it is awarded both to students attending in London and to external students studying elsewhere.

Q30. What is the difference between a student enrolled in the UK and an external student?
A student enrolled in the United Kingdom studies full-time at a College/Institute of the University of London, e.g. the London School of Economics and Political Science. As an external student, whilst the academic standard of the degree is exactly the same as for a student enrolled in the UK, you may follow a University of London diploma programme at an institution which has ‘Permission to Teach’ the Diploma in Economics status, such as IITM.

Q31. Is the academic standing of the degree for an external student the same as for a student enrolled in the UK?
Yes, there is no difference whatsoever. There is only one University of London degree. As far as the University of London is concerned, the academic achievement of external students and those enrolled in the UK is exactly the same. The examination answer scripts are marked, by the University of London, to exactly the same standards.

Q32. What about the degree itself? Is there any difference in the degree for external students and those enrolled in the UK?
No, there is no difference whatsoever. There is only one University of London degree which is the same for all categories of students. The University of London is bound by its statutes to ensure that all candidates attain the same academic standards. The University of London’s statute 66(2) affirms that ‘Candidates granted degree and other awards shall have attained the same academic standard irrespective of mode or place of study or examination’.

Q33. Is the University of London recognised?
The University of London is recognised all over the world. In India, for example, the University of Delhi recognises degrees awarded by the University of London, and graduates of the University of London occupy senior positions in government and industry.

Q34. Is there any difference in the cost of studying at LSE, and IITM in Dubai?
Yes, the tuition fee and other expenses at LSE in London are significantly higher. For instance, the tuition fee payable by a student studying full-time at LSE for the academic session 2007-2008 is approximately GBP 10,500 per annum (AED 73,500). In addition to the tuition fees, the cost of travel to and from London, board and lodging, books etc, will be approximately GBP 9,800 per annum (AED 68,600).

Therefore, the total cost of studying at LSE would be approximately GBP 20,300 per annum (AED 142,100) at current exchange rates. Please note that the fees at LSE are subject to annual review.

Studying for the same degree as an external student at IITM, Knowledge Village, Dubai, the all-inclusive fees including all fees payable to IITM and to the University of London for the entire programme are approximately AED 60,000. This is approximately GBP 8,571 at current exchange rates. For the academic session 2007-2008, students studying at IITM would pay AED 12,150 (GBP 1,735) as tuition fee and approximately AED 5495 (GBP 785) as registration fee and examination fee. Therefore, the total cost of studying at IITM for the first year would be approximately AED 17,640 (GBP 2,520) at current exchange rates. This would mean that it costs a student ten times more for studying in London compared to Dubai.

Q35. What additional expenditure could I expect to incur?
As an external student, apart from the fees and, of course, your own stationery, textbooks, photocopying, printing, internet usage and local travelling cost, you should not have any additional expenditure.

Q36. On successful completion of the Diploma, what will I receive?

• You will receive the University of London Diploma in Economics.
• You will automatically be invited to attend the IITM Diploma Graduation ceremony.

Q37. On successful completion of the degree programme, what will I receive?
You will receive the University of London degree certificate. You will automatically be invited to attend the presentation ceremony of the University of London, in London, and if you attend, you will be presented to either the Chancellor or Vice-Chancellor of the University of London. The cost of making the journey to London will, of course, have to be borne by you.

Whether or not you attend the presentation ceremony in London, you will be alumni of the University of London.
You will automatically be invited to attend the IITM Graduation ceremony, to be held in Dubai, UAE.

Q38. What are my options after completing my BSc degree?
The University of London degree is recognised worldwide. Therefore you will be able to apply to pursue postgraduate studies at universities throughout the world. If, however, you decide to apply to study for a Masters degree at one of the colleges of the University of London (including LSE), you will be able to complete your degree after one year of full-time study.

Q39. Where is IITM located?
IITM is located in Dubai’s new professional training and further education centre – Knowledge Village.

Our contact details are:
International Institute for Technology and Management FZ-LLC
2nd Floor,
Block # 14,
P.O. Box 500084
Dubai Knowledge Village
Dubai, U.A.E

Tel: 04-366-4572
Fax:04-366-4059

Q40. Will IITM provide transportation to Knowledge Village?
The transport facilities are available through Marhaba Bus Service (Office:06-5694489, Contact person: Habeeb Ali Mobile:050-4958233). In addition to this, the Dubai Municipality Public Transport service has recently introduced bus #8 to Knowledge Village. Students can obtain a monthly bus pass at discounted rates provided the IITM seal is stamped on their bus pass application.

Details on public transport can be obtained by:

• calling toll-free 800-4848
• emailing transport@dm.gov.ae
• visiting http://vgn.dm.gov.ae/DMEGOV/dm-mp-transportation

Q41. I am almost 18 yrs of age. Will IITM provide me visa assistance?
Students that require visa letters in order to remain on parental sponsorship will be provided assistance to renew their residence visas at no additional cost.