UK colleges powering emerging economies

A new study shows that UK colleges are responding to the huge demand for education from China, India and other booming economies.

53,000 international students study at UK colleges – with Chinese and Indian students topping the league. The Warwick University Study shows that the majority of students taught by UK colleges are from China (3,500) and India (3,300).

Julian Gravatt, Director of Funding and Development for Association of Colleges, that commissioned the report, said, “The growth of the world’s fastest growing economies is outstripping their ability to teach their workforces. UK colleges are actively responding to this need. They’re forming new partnerships in the world’s most important markets, taking our own expertise in skills training to areas of the world where it is most needed.”

The main findings of the report were that:

• China is seeking help internationally to expand and overhaul its further education system.
• Expenditure of GDP on education in India set to rise from three to six per cent.
• 50% of colleges see foreign expansion as a key future opportunity.
• UK colleges’ key exports are English Language teaching, Business administration, Engineering and IT.
• UK education is most attractive for having a good international reputation, offering all teaching in English and being quality assured.
• UK Further Education’s strengths are its qualifications – that reflect industry’s needs, innovative curricula, a wide range of courses, flexible course delivery, a strong emphasis on independent learning and a good track record in international activities.