News - from the College and the Students
April 29th 2008 - What Global Students Really, Really Want
- Source - Evening Standard
Recent Research has highlighted both positive and negative aspects for UK Universities who want to attract the best and the brightest international students.
The positive aspects - the UK has overtaken the USA as the most popular study destination for international students, despite their belief that it is also the most expensive. Recent legislation allows international student to work for up to two years after graduation, but the UK is perceived to be the hardest country to find employment once they have graduated.
The global student market is worth billions of pounds and is rapidly changing as more options are becoming available. Choices for international students include studying for an international qualification in their own country or attend international student campuses in China, Singapore and Malaysia.
Students now have a wealth of information online and can easily compare educational institutions. So understanding how prospective students make their decisions on where to go and what to study is more important than ever.
In the survey of 12,000 students conducted by firm i-Graduate from 143 countries one of the surprising results was the two-thirds of the students first selected the University before considering the country they would study in. The quality and reputation of the course and lecturers was of more importance than lifestyle, climate and culture.
So the reputation of the university or course is the main criteria as international students see their education as an investment and they want the best quality for their money. Although the cost of tuition and cost of living was the number one concern for prospective international student the UK has maintained its appeal because of its teaching and research quality, the reputation of the qualifications and security. Security in the UK is rated very high by prospective international students.
In January 2008 the UK experience showed an increase by 8% in enrollments by international students. So now London has the largest number of international students of any city in the world - contributing to more than 1.5 billion pounds to the city's economy.
While London life is seen as a great all round experience in that the international students become immersed in the cultural, commercial and political vibrancy that is London, the reality is that students could be more interested that they can choose to work in London for two years after they graduate. So a globally recognized qualification and an opportunity to work in a work class city is just to good to refuse.
For further information on how Fulham and Chelsea can help you study and work in the UK please contact: info@fccollege.co.uk
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