UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Overseas students flock to Britain

Monday, 4 February 2008

Britain is fast catching up to America's reputation as the most popular place for overseas students to study, according to a survey published last week.

The survey from the International Graduate Insight Group (i-graduate), which was completed by more than 11,000 overseas students from 143 countries, shows that the big draw cards are the UK's respected higher education institutions, safety and the fact that it's easier to get a visa to study in the UK, even though it's still much more difficult than getting into China, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

"Given that the reputation of British universities is high and that overseas students have a good experience in the UK, that gives international students the sense that they are getting value for money," President of Universities UK (UUK) and Principal of King's College London, Professor Rick Trainor, explains.

"I have been president of UUK for six months and I have been to Belgium, France, China and India," he continues, "The dominant impression I have had is of the high standing of British universities and the regard in which they are held."

Numbers of international students in Britain is expected to swell to well above the last count of 385,000. New figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency show an increase of 12% in students, which includes both undergraduates and postgraduates, between 2005-06 and 2006-07.

The survey suggests that the Prime Minister's Initiative, which was launched by Tony Blair, appears to be working.

The goal of the initiative is to attract more overseas students to Britain, which involved action on a number of fronts and included streamlining entry procedures for bona fide students seeking to enter Britain. More help were given to them in filling in their visa forms and marketing of British higher education was better abroad.

Says Pat Killingley, Director of Education and UK marketing at the British Council: "We are pleased with the growth we are seeing and we think this is because of the measures taken over the past few years."

Another perk is about to await prospective overseas students to the UK. Towards the end of March 2008, the rule that allows overseas students to work in the UK for a year after graduation will be changed, so that they can now work for two years after graduation.

If you are interested in studying in the UK, find out if you qualify for a visa by filling in our free online visa eligibility application form. It will deliver instant results, taking you a step forward into an exciting new adventure!