Our partnership model · iDCM
The International Distributed Campus Model
A phased, low-risk way for universities to build presence in new markets, starting online and growing on the ground as demand is proven.
What iDCM is
More than an online programme manager.
An online programme manager (OPM) runs the non-academic side of a university’s online programmes. iDCM goes further. It combines online campus development, international recruitment, physical study centres, regulatory compliance, franchise development and branch campus pathways in a single model. The result is a distributed network of in-country nodes built around your degrees.
The four phases
Growth that follows demand.
- 01
Online campus
We design, launch and run a fully managed online campus for your programmes. Revenue starts before any infrastructure investment, demand is tested with real enrolments, and recruitment channels and alumni communities take shape.
- 02
Study centres
In-country centres give students a place to study, meet and get support. They bring physical presence, stronger retention and a local community.
- 03
Franchise operations
Scalable local delivery with approved partners, plus employer partnerships that link programmes to jobs.
- 04
Branch campus
Full institutional presence, where regulation permits and demand justifies it.
Each phase proves demand before the next is funded. You grow on evidence, not on speculation.
The expansion challenge
How we solve the expansion challenge.
- High capital requirements
- Traditional approachSignificant upfront investment
- The Prespian approachOnline first, so revenue comes before infrastructure investment
- Regulatory risk
- Traditional approachConcerns over third-party delivery
- The Prespian approachThe university keeps academic ownership and oversight throughout
- Market uncertainty
- Traditional approachInvestment before demand is proven
- The Prespian approachDemand proven through online recruitment before physical commitment
- No local presence
- Traditional approachPure online delivery
- The Prespian approachStudy centres provide presence and community from Phase 2
- Slow growth
- Traditional approachMulti-year implementation
- The Prespian approachOnline programmes launch quickly; physical expansion follows proven demand
- Operational burden
- Traditional approachThe university manages expansion directly
- The Prespian approachPrespian provides infrastructure and operations end to end
Who does what
Academic control stays with you.
Your university keeps
- Programme ownership and academic governance
- Curriculum and learning outcomes, adapted from existing programmes
- Assessment design, moderation and assessment boards
- External examiners and your quality framework
- The award of the degree
Prespian runs
- Course digitisation and content production
- Learning platform development and management
- Marketing and international recruitment
- Admissions and onboarding
- Academic, pastoral and wellbeing support
- Student success and retention
- Alumni and careers services
- Data, analytics and reporting
- Study centre management (Phase 2 onwards)
- Regulatory support and compliance
Priced for local markets
Your degree, at a price the market can reach.
Most international programmes charge a single global price. We set fees for each market, at local rates in study centre markets and at premium rates for the global online channel where agreed. Local delivery keeps support costs down, which is what makes local pricing sustainable.
Commercial model
Shared growth, with limited risk to you.
Universities typically receive a fixed fee per student, agreed up front. Prespian invests in set-up and runs operations, so your university earns from day one without carrying the capital risk of market entry.
Priority markets
Where we start.
We focus on underserved, fast-growing markets where demand for international qualifications is rising faster than local supply. These include Nigeria, India, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Kenya, Vietnam and Indonesia, as well as the Gulf. Nigeria and India are our first focus, and we tailor market choice to each university’s internationalisation strategy.
Nigeria
Significant unmet demand at every level, and a strong appetite for UK qualifications.
India
A substantial higher education market with a large youth population and demand for international qualifications.
Programmes
Built around your existing provision.
Programmes are adapted from your existing provision, so there is no new curriculum design cost. Typical launch portfolios include an MBA, specialist master’s programmes in fields such as AI, cyber security and digital marketing, and undergraduate top-up degrees.