NEW UK INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION STRATEGY – GETTING BACK ON TRACK

The UK is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for international students across the globe. The government too aspires to take education exports to the next level. It aims to reach the £35 billion per year mark and get 600,000 international students in the country per year by 2030, according to an ambitious plan announced by the government in 2019. But much has changed since then.

Factors such as the end of the Brexit transition period and the pandemic had a far-reaching impact on the international education landscape in the UK in 2020. However, the government remains committed to its objectives, despite the changed circumstances. It has launched an updated International Education Strategy that promises to bring the education exports back on track.

While the education sector faces several challenges right now, the update proposes relevant areas where the government can pick for driving revival and growth in the coming time. It could be the best news that international students may have heard since the last year because their UK study abroad dreams may just be more reachable now. Here are the key aspects of the update that need to be highlighted.

ENHANCED EXPERIENCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

The new strategy focuses on enhancing the international student experience, with measures for streamlining application processes and creating better job prospects for them. The government will collaborate closely with bodies such as the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service UCAS, Universities UK International (UUKi), the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), the Office for Students (OfS), and the Confederation of British Industry on several areas. These include international students’ application process and academic experience, graduate outcomes and employability, and alternative student finance.

A GLOBAL OUTREACH TO DRIVE REVIVAL

Another initiative that comes with the update is reaching out to students across the globe. The International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith, will promote export opportunities in countries such as India, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, and Nigeria. Apart from these priority countries, he will focus his activity in important regional markets across Brazil, Mexico, Europe, Pakistan, China, and Hong Kong. The government will work with Sir Steve Smith and the British Council to pinpoint and address barriers that impede the recognition of online and hybrid learning globally.

STUDENT EXCHANGE PROJECTS

The strategy aspires to take global outreach to the next level by facilitating student exchange projects with several countries including India. The Department for Education (DfE) stated that India, already a leading source of international students to the UK, will be among the countries with which universities in the UK seek to have student exchange projects as bids for them open in March under the new Turing Scheme.

FAVOURABLE VISA CHANGES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

International students can look forward to some positive visa changes that will work in their favour. These include concessions around distance and online learning in the face of the coronavirus pandemic. The objective is to ensure that students do not have to suffer for circumstances beyond control. The new student visa brings an improvement on the previous Tier 4 route, offering greater flexibility for aspirants applying overseas and streamlining the process for those already in the UK. It also provides clearer pathways to international students looking to study further in the country and explore their future career prospects here.

INTERNATIONAL QUALIFIED TEACHER STATUS (iQTS)

The strategy also brings a new international teaching qualification called International Qualifed Teacher Status (iQTS). The government will establish a new teaching qualification in collaboration with teacher training providers. The aim is to bring an opportunity for teachers across the globe to avail training for top-notch domestic standards. Additionally, it will promote UK teaching methods for people with special needs and disabilities internationally.

EMPHASIS ON LASTING GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS

The government will play a key role in facilitating partnerships across the world. The target countries will extend beyond the Champion’s priority countries, covering regions such as Europe, Central Asia, the Indo-Pacific region, and Sub-Saharan Africa. The new Turing scheme will go the extra mile for improving mobility between UK students and these regions.

The plan is all set to boost global growth opportunities and support the education sector to build back from the pandemic. It aims to revive hopes once again for everyone- international students who want to go ahead with their study abroad aspirations, institutions that want their revenues back on track, and the country’s economy as a whole.

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