The power of choice: why multi-progression matters
By Alex Wolfson, Head of New University Partnerships, Bellerbys Global
Choosing your future shouldn’t mean limiting your options. Explore how Bellerbys Global’s multi-progression model empowers international students with the freedom to adapt, discover, and thrive on their path to university.
If there’s one thing, I’ve learned from over 10 years’ working with international students and universities, it’s this: hardly anyone follows a straight path.
Students talk to their friends and their teachers, they research a wide range of courses and institutions, discover universities and courses they weren’t aware of before and their plans change. They might join a new club with a newly found friend and discover a passion they didn’t know they had. They read interesting texts or are taught by an inspirational teacher who opens their eyes to a new field of study. People grow, interests evolve, priorities change and aspirations shift towards new plans. In education – especially international education – flexibility and an ability to change tack aren’t just helpful: they’re essential.
That’s precisely why the Bellerbys International Foundation Programme is centred around a multi-progression model.
What does that mean in practice?
In short, it means our students aren’t restricted to a single university destination. Instead, they have access to a broad and growing network of 51 recognised progression universities. These include Russell Group members such as Durham University, University of Leeds, and University of Birmingham, as well as other leading UK institutions like University of Bath, Lancaster University and University of East Anglia.
The network doesn’t stop at the UK’s borders. Bellerbys Global students also have opportunities to progress to strategically-located international campuses in Malaysia, Singapore and China – such as Xi’an Jiao Tong Liverpool University, University of Southampton Malaysia and James Cook University Singapore.
Each of these universities has formally recognised the Bellerbys Foundation Programme and its academic and English Language content as an appropriate qualification for Undergraduate entry. The vast majority recognize our English Language module for entry in lieu of IELTS.
This means that while students study on the programme they have the freedom to explore, adapt and ultimately choose the degree and university that best suits their goals and interests.
Why does this approach work?
How many young people starting A Levels, International Baccalaureate or a similar level qualification really have a clear idea of what degree and university is right for them? While some have a very specific career in mind and might know the degree they want to study, a focus on a singular institution at this stage is more likely to come from parents and a limited rankings-based view than from students. Our approach reflects the reality that 16-18 year olds need guidance from Higher Education experts to make this important decision while completing their final pre-University programme.
While many pathway providers offer on-campus foundations with “guaranteed” progression to the host university, this model assumes that students arrive with a perfectly formed academic plan. In truth, very few do. Some students may have a clear idea of the subject they want to study or feel pressure to aim for a high-ranking university. Others are still exploring and that’s not only normal, it’s a healthy approach to take.
In the UK, domestic students studying A Levels, BTECs or the International Baccalaureate aren’t limited to one university. They apply to multiple institutions, weigh their options and make informed decisions. sometimes changing their mind even after achieving the grades for what they once thought of as their dream university. Others come to realize that it is they and not their parents who will spend 3 or 4 years at university and opt for a city or campus that really appeals to them. International students deserve the same flexibility.
A multi-progression pathway provides the structure, support and space students need to make confident, well-informed decisions — without committing them to a single institution in a town they may not enjoy or a course that may not be the right fit.
Building resilience through choice
One of the most powerful aspects of the multi-progression model is the resilience it builds into the student journey. If one route doesn’t work out – perhaps a student changes their mind about a subject or doesn’t meet the entry requirements of a particular university – there are still many options available.
This isn’t about lowering expectations. It’s about widening options and helping students pursue their real interests in environments where they can thrive – academically, socially and personally. And in a world that is increasingly unpredictable, that kind of adaptability and resilience is more than nice to have. It’s essential.
Not just about volume — about quality
Of course, having more than 50 university options to choose from is only meaningful if the quality is there. And that’s the other side of the equation.
The Bellerbys Foundation Programme is aligned with the UK’s Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) and benchmarked against international standards such as SCQF (Scotland). This ensures that students are not only prepared for university admission, but they are also equipped with the academic skills and critical thinking abilities they’ll need to succeed once they get there.
The curriculum is consistent across locations. Whether students study in the UK, China or elsewhere they receive the same preparation with the same standards and expectations. That consistency is what our university partners trust and what our students benefit from.
Supporting students beyond the classroom
Another key part of the Bellerbys Global approach is the holistic support offered to students. Academic skills are just one part of the puzzle; students also need guidance on university applications, help navigating cultural differences and support in developing the soft skills that will serve them throughout their lives and Bellerbys Global has provided this kind of support for many years.
With access to one-to-one support, mentoring and student leadership roles, students are exposed to a wide range of opportunities and perspectives. They are encouraged to ask questions, explore new ideas and take ownership of their educational journey. This kind of environment fosters not just academic success, but personal growth and that’s something that is just as important in the long term.
Choice is the foundation
Multi-progression is sometimes treated as something specialist. In reality, it’s a simple concept: choice. The same choice enjoyed by the UK’s domestic students taking A Levels. The same choice that allows young people to explore, to change their minds and to find the right path for them. More choice means more opportunity, more flexibility to pivot and more space to make the right decision. And choice is exactly what a good university preparation programme should offer.
Alex Wolfson is Head of New University Partnerships for Bellerbys Global. He works closely with over 50 progression universities to ensure the Bellerbys Foundation Programme remains academically aligned, internationally recognised, and genuinely flexible for students.