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More than agriculture and the pharmaceutical industry UK Universities generate almost £60 billion (US$99 billion) a year for the UK economy – a study revealed last week. The report by researchers at Strathclyde University, commissioned by the umbrella group for vice-chancellors Universities UK, will be used by heads of universities to lobby ministers to allow a rise in students’ tuition fees.
The Strathclyde study used data from the Office for National Statistics, the Higher Education Statistics Agency and information from all 166 higher education institutions in the UK to measure the impact of universities on the economy. It found that universities generated more than £59 billion for the economy in 2007-08, a 25% rise on the £45 billion they produced four years before that. The total revenue earned by universities was £23.4 billion, compared to just under £20 billion for agriculture and under £15 billion for the pharmaceutical industry.
UK Universities brought in £5.3 billion from overseas students, international conferences and work conducted for overseas businesses. They provide the equivalent of 314,600 full-time jobs, or 1.2% of all full-time jobs in the UK. Those visiting universities from abroad and overseas students spent £2.3 billion off-campus, the study found.
Oxford University faces “grave” risks and needs more than £1 billion (US$1.6 billion) investment in the next decade to bring its “unfit for purpose” facilities up to a world-class standard, the institution’s outgoing vice-chancellor, John Hood, warned. He admitted that the university was budgeting to make a loss for the fourth year in a row. Hood said Oxford was budgeting for a loss of around £8 million this year.
His replacement, Andrew Hamilton, said Oxford faced tough times and needed defending against “political opportunism and crude social engineering” as debate on its role looked set to intensify.
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The US Consul General, Lisa Larson has issued a statement asking students not to approach Educational Agents for VISAs. These agents often charge students high sums of money for their services and for VISA related information. She added that all the information was available online on the US Embassy website, and the process was straightforward. Also, Lisa clarified that getting a US VISA has more to do with the VISA interview and less to do with the documentation that agents stress on.
This statement can actually put a lot of student concerns about US VISAs to rest. Also, it shows that students need not depend on Educational Agents for guidance on the VISA process.
The UK Border Agency has announced two new policies for Tier 4 Student Visa sponsors and prospective students. Effective Oct 1 2009, applicants should hold funds in their own or parent’s bank account for a minimum period of 28 days prior to making the application. The end of the 28 day period must not be more than one month before the date of the visa application from October 5, new Tier 4 Student Visa holders’ permission to stay in the UK will be tied to the education provider or institution that is sponsoring their application. If a student wants to study with a new education provider, and they made their last application for a Tier 4 Student Visa on or after October 5,
They will need to apply for a new visa. However if a student wants to study with a new sponsor, and they made their last application for a Tier 4 Student Visa before October 5, they must seek permission from UK Border Agency without making a new visa application.
Britain tightened up the UK Student Visa by introducing news rules which came into effect from October 1, 2009.
Of the new rules, some of the important aspects are outlined below
- Those applying for the student visa must hold the required funds in their own or their parents’ bank account for a minimum period of 28 days prior to making the application.
- Foreign students need to prove that they have unconditional offer of a seat at a licensed college, university or school.
- The students also need to show all details and evidence provided to educational institution to secure admission.
- The students need to prove that they can financially support themselves and their dependants for at least nine months.
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Commonwealth Scholarship is tenable in the United Kingdom from October 2010 for higher studies/research/specialized training
Each scholarship provides a student concessionary or other approved airfare to the UK by the most direct and economical route and return on expiry of the scholarship; approved tuition and examination fees; personal maintenance allowance payable monthly; grant for books and apparatus in the first year of study (and for a subsequent full year also) and a grant towards the expenses of preparing a thesis of dissertation, where applicable; grant for expenses of approved travel within the UK; an initial clothing grant for most scholars on first arrival from tropical developing countries.
For more information on the eligibility criteria, how to apply and the application deadline please visit Commonwealth Scholarship & Fellowship-2010
The Charles Wallace India Trust is an arts, heritage conservation and humanities scholarship fund. It supports talented Indians in the early or middle stage of their careers to spend focused time in the UK, helping to achieve their artistic, professional or academic ambitions. These awards also give good opportunities to make international connections
APPLICATIONS ARE INVITED FOR THE YEAR 2010 – 2011 FOR THE FOLLOWING:
Fully Funded Awards in the arts and heritage conservation
Visiting Fellowships of 2-3 months duration, fully funded
Grants towards the cost of Short Research or Professional visits and Scottish Universities International Summer School. These do not cover full costs
Grants towards the cost of the penultimate or final year of Doctoral Study at a UK university
Application Deadline: Saturday, 31 October 2009.
For more information visit the official page.
As the Indian government prepares to allow entry of foreign education providers in the higher education sector, about 50 foreign universities – mostly from the US, UK and Australia – have expressed interest in setting up campuses in the country. The universities have approached the Ministry of Human Resource Development in the last three months, a senior official said.
To take forward the process of engaging their institutions in India’s education sector a number of foreign dignitaries, including British trade and investment minister Mervyn Davies and Washington Secretary of State Sam Reed, have visited India.
Foreign universities are currently not allowed to offer degree courses in India, although the country allows 100% foreign investment in the sector. However, nearly 150 foreign institutes offer courses with Indian universities under twinning arrangements allowed by the Education Department.
