Bournemouth University International College celebrates 'topping out'

A 'topping out' ceremony has taken place for Bournemouth University International College. 

The ceremony, which was attended by Bournemouth University staff, a team from Watkin JonesGroup Ltd, Legal & General and Kaplan celebrates a major milestone in the building's construction - with the highest point of the structure now reached.

The building, based on Holdenhurst Road  will be the highest point in Dorset, in relation to its raised position on the Dorset landscape, and will play host to a number of international students who will live and study in the building. 

The Bournemouth University International College is an educational collaborration between Kaplan International and Bournemouth University. The College supports international students to achieve their ambition of becoming Bournemouth University students by preparing them for admission to undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.  Successful completion of the College’s preparation courses with the grades required by the University guarantees students a place at the University.

Professor John Vinney, Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University said, “This building is an exciting new development in our constant efforts to offer the best student experience possible and is a very tangible demonstration of how much we value our international students. The boost that they give to the local economy is huge, but that in turn is dwarfed by the importance of the global perspective that they bring, which is absolutely essential in developing the cultural awareness of the University and preparing all of our students for the global workplace. The University is particularly pleased to be able to continue to invest in our local area – developing world-class buildings and facilities to enable world-class performance”.

Teaching and study space is co-housed in the same building with a student refectory and accommodation with 392 beds in both group flats and studios.  With 16 floors, and views out to the Isle of Wight, and Old Harry, the Purbecks and the New Forest, this will be the highest building in Bournemouth.