FIND A COLLEGE
Study UK update
- 11 May 2010
Study UK, the official membership association for BAC accredited colleges, has now been in operation for over a year, and membership has grown dramatically during this time to more than 50 member colleges.
Established to provide a voice for the independent college sector, the association has been a key stakeholder on the UK Border Agency’s Joint Education Taskforce since its inception, lobbying and representing members’ interests regarding the implementation of the new Tier 4 visa system.
In addition, Study UK has been working hard to provide a range of other benefits to members. In April last year, a new website was launched with a secure members’ area, and a yahoo group was created to facilitate communication and discussion between members. In September, the association launched a series of training days and conferences in conjunction with sister association English UK. A Corporate Membership scheme, parties for students and staff, and a business support helpline providing advice on employment and legal issues are just some of the other benefits that were introduced in 2009.
Study UK has also continued to ramp up its marketing activities. In October, it hosted a workshop for members to meet agents from Saudi Arabia, Libya, Syria, Oman, Bahrain, Iran, Turkey, Armenia and Georgia. It also had joint stands with English UK at student recruitment fairs in Dubai, St. Petersburg, Hanoi and four cities in Turkey, and sent out a new brochure to UK Trade & Investment offices, British Councils and more than 3000 agents worldwide. In September, several members attended StudyWorld London (www.studyworldfair.com) at discounted participation rates, while Study UK and the BAC had a joint stand there to promote accreditation and quality independent education to the many hundreds of agents and educational institutions in attendance.
In response to positive feedback from both agents and members, Study UK is planning more agent workshops for 2010, to be held for South American agents in spring and agents from central, eastern and southern Europe in autumn.
For more information about Study UK, please visit www.study-uk.org or email Study UK’s Association Manager, Sharon Bignell, on info@study-uk.org.
