Study UK - Latest News and Events

Validating Internal Awards Event

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

14 October 2009
A Study UK/BAC joint event

Study UK and the BAC jointly hosted an event called "Validating Internal Awards" at the Westminster Conference Centre on 14th October.

The event was attended by approximately 150 educational institutions wanting to find out what options are available to them for continuing to recruit international students onto programmes that currently do not fit the UK Border Agency's Tier 4 criteria for an approved programme. The UKBA has instructed that from 31 March 2010, only students studying on courses leading to approved qualifications will be eligible to receive a general student visa (as stated in paragraph 200 of the Guidance for Sponsors).

The day began with welcome speeches by BAC Chief Executive, Gina Hobson, and Study UK Chair, Sue Hindley. This was followed by a presentation by Neil Hughes, Director of the Economic and Family Migration Programme at the UK Border Agency. Neil gave an update on Tier 4 PBS and answered questions from attendees on all aspects of the new system.

Following this, delegates enjoyed a buffet lunch kindly provided by UK Trade and Investment, before meeting with representatives of regulatory, awarding and validating bodies in the exhibition rooms.

The Association of Business Executives, British Computer Society, Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality, Edexcel, Institute of Legal Executives, Institute of Business Consulting, Management Standards Centre, Middlesex University, Mindspring, NCC Education, Open College Network (London Region), Open University Validation Services, Sonis and the Vocational Training Charitable Trust all had exhibition stands to provide information to colleges and discuss what options they have for continuing to recruit visa students onto currently unapproved programmes.

Study UK also had an exhibition stand to promote our services to BAC accredited non-member colleges, where we handed out our membership flyer, professional services handbook and agent brochure.

Seminars continued in the afternoon, with Alan Sampson and James Gregory from Edexcel presenting a session about selecting external awards. Martina Wilson from OUVS then presented "Institution and programme validation by Open University Validation Services" and Sue McGlynn from Ofqual discussed how colleges can become awarding bodies. There was also a panel discussion, which was chaired by the BAC's Head of Inspection Services, Steve Bristow, and included representatives from Southampton Solent University, CATS Cambridge, QAA and the Study UK Chair, Sue Hindley. Please scroll down to download a copy of the event programme.

Feedback from educational institutions and exhibitors alike was very positive, despite the broad range of needs and expectations of those who attended. One college commented, "UKBA representatives and OU Validation Services were knowledgeable and informative." Another commented that the event provided "reassurance that a lots of us are so unsure of many aspects of change, especially from April 2010."

Study UK and the BAC would like to thank all those who attended the event, and we hope to offer more joint events in the future.

In partnership and supported by:

Study UK @ IEFT Fall 2009 Student Recruitment Exhibitions

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK will be attending the IEFT Fall 2009 Student Recruitment Exhibitions in Turkey.

Come and meet us in Ankara (Sunday 19 October, 12:00 - 18:00, Sheraton Hotel), Izmir (Tuesday 20 October, 12:00 - 18:00, Hilton Hotel), Bursa (Thursday 22 October, 12:00 - 18:00, Kervansaray Termal Hotel) and Istanbul (Saturday/Sunday 24-25 October, 12:00 - 18:00, Hilton Hotel and Convention Centre).

Study UK Agent Workshop

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK welcomed 19 agents from Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, Armenia and Georgia to take part in a Study UK Agent Workshop at West London College on 9th October.

The agents met with 10 Study UK member colleges in 20 minute one-on-one appointments, which were scheduled in advance using an online appointment system called eSchedule Lite.

There were breaks for refreshments and lunch during the day, where agents and educators could mingle more and get to know each other better. Study UK Board member Simon Cleaver also gave a short presentation about the activities of Study UK and the advantages of studying at an independent college.

There was a very productive and friendly atmosphere during the day - feedback from agents and members alike was very positive. One member commented, 'This was an excellent opportunity to meet a range of agents, with nothing but a day away from the office.'

Study UK hopes to hold another agent workshop in spring next year for agents from South America.

Study UK @ Regional British Education Exhibition

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK and English UK were given a joint stand at the Regional British Education Exhibition, held in St Petersburg on 24th September, to promote quality British independent education.

Visitors to the Study UK / English UK stand included students, parents, agents and working professionals. Students and parents were particularly interested in finding out more about foundation programmes, top-up degrees and postgraduate courses. The Study UK brochure, which was recently produced in cooperation with UK Trade & Investment, proved popular and nearly all were picked up by attendees.

Two Study UK / English UK members also had individual stands at the event.

Study UK @ StudyWorld London

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK had a joint stand with the British Accreditation Council (BAC) at StudyWorld this week, an agent-educator fair held at the Hilton London Metropole from 7th - 9th September.

The stand attracted a lot of attention from agents, exhibitors and non-member educators, and we were able to increase awareness about Study UK as an association, and the quality of BAC accreditation.

Approximately 5 Study UK members also had individual stands at the event, where they met with agents in one-on-one appointments over two days, and attended conference sessions by the UK Border Agency and UK Trade and Investment, among others.

For more information about StudyWorld, please visit their website: www.studyworldfair.com.

Study UK Corporate Membership

Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK has launched a new Corporate Membership scheme, open to organisations, businesses and individuals who provide auxiliary services to the education sector.

Study UK members frequently require a wide range of products and services in the course of their day-to-day business. By becoming a Corporate Member, organisations will be able to promote their offerings and build relationships with members through partnership in the association.

For more information about Corporate Membership, please click here.

Study UK/BAC event: Validating Internal Awards

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Date: 14 October 2009
Venue: Westminster Conference Centre, London

This event is for further and higher education institutions which offer internal awards not validated by an external body.

The UKBA has instructed that from 31 March 2010 only students studying on courses leading to approved qualifications will be eligible to receive a general student visa. Many institutions currently recruit visa students on to courses which lead to a qualification that does not fit the UKBA's criteria (listed in paragraph 235 of the Guidance for Sponsor Applications). This joint BAC and Study UK conference will bring together representatives of the regulatory, awarding and validating bodies to discuss with you what your options are for continuing to recruit visa students onto currently unapproved programmes.

In the morning, representatives from BAC, Study UK, Ofqual, etc will go through the current situation and your options. In the afternoon these organisations, and other awarding and validating bodies, will have stalls at an exhibition where you can get information from them, network with colleagues and decide on your course of action.

The conference will take place at Westminster Conference Centre, 1 Victoria Street, London SW1H 0ET on Wednesday 14 October. Due to the generosity of our speakers and UK Trade & Investment, places at this conference will cost £30 each. Tea, coffee and a buffet lunch will be provided.

Please scroll down to download a booking form and the provisional programme. The schedule is not finalised yet, but full details will be posted here as soon as they are available.

For further information about this conference, please contact info@study-uk.org or call 020 7608 7960. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

15% discount for Study UK members on all English UK Training Days

Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK has negotiated a 15% discount for members on all English UK training days and conferences, starting from the 2009/2010 academic year.

Study UK will be working closely with English UK to put together their 2009/2010 calendar of events and will hopefully be offering some joint training days.

We would like to hear from you if you have an idea or a request for a particular topic you would like to see covered in a training day. Please send ideas to info@study-uk.org.

To review the themes covered by English UK in 2008/2009, please click here to download a PDF copy of the English UK Professional Services Handbook.

Getex 2009 in Dubai

Mon, 11 May 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A few Study UK member colleges recently participated in a joint Study UK / English UK brochure racking stand at GETEX in Dubai from 15th - 18th April.

GETEX is the Middle East's largest education, training, professional development and education supplies technology event. This year, there were 403 exhibitors and 31,129 visitors to the event over the four days.

Visitors to the Study UK / English UK exhibition stand included students, parents, agents and working professionals, from a wide range of countries in the region. The stand was very popular and nearly all Study UK member brochures were picked up by attendees.

This was the first joint marketing opportunity that Study UK has undertaken for members. We hope to be able to offer more opportunities like this in the future.

New website for Study UK

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK, the official membership association for BAC accredited colleges, launched its new website today.

With dedicated "students" and "agents" pages and links to the websites of Study UK's approximately 50 member colleges, the new website better promotes the independent college sector and Study UK members to potential students and agents all over the world.

A password-protected secure area allows members to keep up-to-date with industry news, download logos and other important documents, as well as find out about joint promotional opportunities.

With an online application form and more detailed information about the benefits of membership and current subscription fees, the website also makes it easier for BAC-accredited colleges to join Study UK.

For more information, please email info@study-uk.org.

New student immigration system launches today in UK

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 +0000

From today, international students looking to study in the UK will be able to apply for their visa through Tier 4 of the new streamlined Points Based System.

To read the UK Border Agency's news release about Tier 4, please click here.

Students and agents may also find useful information on the UK Visas website, where they have published a guidance page for applicants.

Study UK hosts first event for members

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK held its first event for members at the British Accreditation Council in London last Wednesday afternoon.

The event was led by the Chairman of Study UK, Sue Hindley, along with Study UK Association Secretary Tony Millns, BAC Chief Executive Stephen Vickers and other members of the Study UK Board. 16 out of the association’s 43 members were in attendance.

The event began with a presentation about Study UK’s past and present activities, current membership numbers, and the association’s future direction. Members were encouraged to share their opinions and discuss priorities for Study UK going forward.

An update on the new Points Based System for student visas, which will go into effect at the end of March, was then led by Study UK’s Chairman Sue Hindley. Members had the chance to hear from those representing Study UK members’ interests in the various government forums and receive up-to-date information on the changes, while also having the opportunity to put forward their opinions and ask questions. After the formal discussions were concluded, members were able to network and discuss common issues over refreshments.

The event was a huge success, with positive comments received from all who attended. Study UK looks forward to holding more events like this, and hopes to be able to meet and have face-to-face discussions with even more of the association’s members in the future.

Study UK appoints new Association Manager

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Study UK has appointed Sharon Bignell as the association's manager.

Based in the English UK offices in London, she will be handling all member enquiries and administration for the association from now on, and can be contacted on 020 7608 7960 or info@study-uk.org.

Before moving to her position at Study UK, Sharon was working in Tokyo where she managed the Japanese government's English education and internationalisation programme, the JET Programme. In her hometown of Sydney, she previously worked for IDP Education Australia in their Global Strategy and Marketing Group and in higher education administration.

Sharon looks forward to working with Study UK and its members to further grow and develop the association.

Launch of Tier 4

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 +0000

Sue Hindley, Chair of Study UK, at the launch of Tier 4 with the Rt Hon Mr Bill Rammell, Minister of State (Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education), Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.