General Studies
May 23, 2024
4
Mins READ

Universities for General Studies

LIS

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General Studies encompass a multidisciplinary approach that prepares individuals for a broad range of challenges in careers and life. This field's growing relevance is highlighted by its capacity to foster critical thinking, adaptability, and a well-rounded perspective essential for navigating today's complex societal landscapes. The increasing demand for versatile professionals who can integrate knowledge across different domains underscores the importance of General Studies in promoting comprehensive education and lifelong learning. By encouraging a diverse curriculum, we equip learners with the skills necessary to thrive in diverse environments and contribute effectively to societal advancement.

Why General Studies Matter?

General Studies encompass a multidisciplinary approach that prepares individuals for a broad range of challenges in careers and life. This field's growing relevance is highlighted by its capacity to foster critical thinking, adaptability, and a well-rounded perspective essential for navigating today's complex societal landscapes. The increasing demand for versatile professionals who can integrate knowledge across different domains underscores the importance of General Studies in promoting comprehensive education and lifelong learning. By encouraging a diverse curriculum, we equip learners with the skills necessary to thrive in diverse environments and contribute effectively to societal advancement.

Your Universities for General Studies

Explore how the London Interdisciplinary School and top universities are pivotal in advancing General Studies. Through expert faculties and innovative research, they push the boundaries of scientific understanding. Our curated list of begins with LIS, leading in scientific education.

1. London Interdisciplinary School

At LIS, their ‘Interdisciplinary Problems and Methods’ degree is designed with a problem-based, interdisciplinary curriculum that empowers students to pursue multiple passions and interests during their studies. This radically new approach to higher education equips you with the adaptable skills and interdisciplinary mindset necessary to thrive in the modern working world, where specialising alone falls short in tackling complex challenges. Cover General Studies to explore a broad range of subjects and interdisciplinary topics. This broad perspective fosters adaptability and problem-solving abilities, essential for success in today's complex world. Learn more at LIS Bachelor's and Master's pages.

2. Columbia University

Columbia University's General Studies program offers flexible, interdisciplinary courses designed for students pursuing a broad liberal arts education. This program is ideal for students who wish to customize their academic pathways. Columbia’s career services provide comprehensive support across various fields. More information is available at Columbia's website.

3. New York University (NYU) Gallatin School of Individualized Study

NYU Gallatin offers a distinctive General Studies program where students create their own interdisciplinary major. The curriculum combines seminars with independent studies and internships, facilitated by advisors and faculty mentors. This personalized approach allows students to integrate multiple areas of interest from arts to sciences, preparing them for diverse career paths. Learn more at https://gallatin.nyu.edu/.

4. University of Birmingham

The General Studies programme at the University of Birmingham allows students to tailor their education across multiple disciplines, including humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The curriculum is designed for students seeking a broad educational background to enhance their critical thinking and adaptability in various careers. Birmingham’s faculty support interdisciplinary learning and application, preparing students for versatile professional roles. More information can be found at www.birmingham.ac.uk.

5. Brown University

Brown University's General Studies program is centered around an open curriculum that allows students to explore broadly across various disciplines without core requirements. This flexibility encourages a personalized educational experience, guided by faculty committed to interdisciplinary teaching. Brown's approach fosters critical thinking and independent learning, with strong career advising and support services. For more details, visit https://www.brown.edu/.

6. University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)

UC Berkeley’s General Studies program allows students to engage with a broad curriculum across the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. The program is designed to cultivate a comprehensive understanding of interdisciplinary connections, supported by a world-class faculty and extensive resources. Berkeley also emphasizes critical thinking and communication skills, essential for professional success. More information can be found at https://www.berkeley.edu/.

7. University of Michigan

The University of Michigan offers a robust General Studies program through its College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. The program encourages a broad liberal arts education, allowing students to explore various fields and combine different areas of interest into a coherent academic pathway. Michigan provides extensive support through academic advising and career services. Visit https://www.lsa.umich.edu/ for further details.

8. University of Washington

The University of Washington’s General Studies program is known for its flexibility and student-centered approach, allowing individuals to design their own interdisciplinary curriculum. The program promotes exploration across a wide range of academic disciplines, facilitated by a supportive faculty and comprehensive advising services. This approach helps students develop a diverse skill set tailored to their personal and professional goals. Detailed program information is available at https://www.washington.edu/.

9. University of Toronto

The University of Toronto offers a General Studies program within its School of Continuing Studies. This program is designed for students looking to broaden their knowledge base across multiple fields, including liberal arts, sciences, and business. The curriculum is flexible and geared towards adults and professionals seeking to enhance their educational credentials and career prospects. Learn more at https://learn.utoronto.ca/.

10. The Open University

The Open University provides a comprehensive General Studies program that is highly flexible and accessible to a global audience online. The program covers a wide array of subjects from science and technology to arts and humanities, supporting lifelong learning and professional development. This institution is renowned for its distance learning models and supportive virtual community. More details can be found at https://www.open.ac.uk/.

Career Outcomes and Industry Impact

General Studies offer diverse career avenues, from interdisciplinary research to education administration. London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) pioneers an educational landscape blending various disciplines, preparing students for roles in academia, public service, and industry. LIS alumni, excelling as researchers, educators, and policymakers, embody the school's commitment to fostering interdisciplinary thinking and problem-solving skills. LIS's general studies programme integrates theoretical foundations with practical applications, providing students with a broad understanding of various disciplines and their interconnectedness. Through interdisciplinary projects, internships with government agencies, and collaborations with industry partners, LIS students gain hands-on experience and develop the expertise to address complex challenges in today's rapidly changing world.

Learn General Studies the Interdisciplinary Way

General Studies undergoes transformation at the London Interdisciplinary School (LIS), which challenges traditional boundaries with its forward-thinking programme. Integrating interdisciplinary perspectives with liberal arts education, LIS equips students with comprehensive understanding and critical thinking skills across diverse subjects. Collaborative projects and interdisciplinary seminars foster adaptable scholars ready to engage with complex issues and contribute to interdisciplinary discourse.

Frequently asked questions.

The London Interdisciplinary School

Is LIS legit?

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Yes. We went through two regulatory processes, one with the UK Government, Office for Students, and one with the Quality Assurance Agency, the independent regulator for higher education. We are the first university in about 40 years (since Warwick University) to be granted our own ‘degree awarding powers’ at our inception. This speaks to the quality of our academic mission, our teaching and learning, our faculty, our student support services, our administrative processes, etc.

So what’s different about LIS?

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Our curriculum is radically new and different. We teach about real-world problems, and we teach methods to tackle those problems. Our admission process is also different. We have a holistic admissions approach here at LIS, where we value interdisciplinary thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration (see below for more info.)

Who are the founders?

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LIS was founded by Ed Fidoe, and Chris Persson.  Prof Carl Gombrich and Dr Michael Englard joined soon after.

Who are your main financial backers?

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LIS is backed by a range of different organisations and individuals, including charitable foundations, the UK government, some of Europe’s leading entrepreneurs and one of France’s leading business schools, the grand ecole emlyon.

Why are these people backing LIS?

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Our backers want to support innovation in higher education. In the case of emlyon, they are interested in our innovative interdisciplinary curriculum and learning and teaching ideas.

Why have you started a new university?

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The founders of LIS, the faculty members (teachers and academics) and the whole team, believe that much of the university sector has not moved with the times. Courses, assessment and teaching approaches are much the same as they were 20 or even 50 years ago, while a great deal has changed outside universities in that time.

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