The UK is continuing to attract increasing numbers of students from around the world, including the UAE.
According to the latest figures from the British Council (provided by
the UK’s Higher Education Statistics Agency - HESA), the total number of
students from the UAE studying Higher Education in the UK in academic
year 2006/7 rose to more than 2,200 – an increase of 6 per cent compared
to the previous year; the number rises to well over 4,000 students from
the UAE when those studying at Further Education level and on English
language courses are taken into consideration.
The figures were announced at the launch of EDUKEX 2008 which opened
today in Abu Dhabi. The British Council’s annual UK education exhibition
is supported by more than 50 UK institutions, which will meet
prospective students in the UAE.
Speaking at the launch, Alison Devine, British Council Regional Manager
Education UK Middle East, explained: “The latest figures from HESA show
a healthy increase in the number of students from the UAE choosing to
study at UK institutions and follow the strong increase (15 per cent) in
UAE student numbers that we saw for academic year 2005/6. The
undergraduates are generally in their late teens and early 20s, the
majority being male students, whilst the postgraduate students tend to
be over 30 years of age, again with a bias towards male students.
“The UK continues to attract international students from all over the
world because of the world class reputation of UK institutions, the high
quality programmes, the widely recognised qualifications and
employability of UK graduates, as well as the overall value for money
they offer,” added Mrs Devine.
“EDUKEX 2008 offers the perfect opportunity to speak to a large number
of prestigious UK universities and colleges and compare what’s on offer,
from academic and vocational programmes to English language courses and
A levels – all with the guarantee of quality that comes with selecting a
UK education institution. In fact, there are more than 13,000 students
from the Middle East currently studying Further and Higher Education in
the UK, and a high number of students studying English Language courses.
It continues to be an increasingly popular destination with students in
the region.
“For those who would prefer not to travel, visitors to EDUKEX 2008 will
also have the opportunity to learn more about UK qualifications being
delivered in the UAE.”
About the British Council
The British Council works in 110 countries worldwide to build engagement
and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between
people worldwide. We do this through work in the arts, education and
training, science and technology, sport, good governance and human
rights. We are a non-political organisation, registered as a charity in
the England and Scotland, which operates at arm’s length from
government. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org
In the UAE, the British Council has centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and
Sharjah. We actively engage with the UAE community and the authorities
through our work in education, English language teaching, professional
development and teacher training programmes, and the administering of
academic and professional examinations. We also help connect young
people in the UAE with those in the UK via projects covering the Arts,
education and science, in cooperation with local and UK organisations.
