All images © Mat Wright Creating opportunities for UK students in China: Generation UK

Contents  Introduction – What is Generation UK?  Background – Broadening Horizons research  Academic scholarships  Internship programme  Working with universities: career advisers  2013 UK-China Student Forum  Upcoming activities – Student road show  Q & A

What is Generation UK?  3 year project pioneered by the British Council in China  15,000 UK students to study or work in China by Objectives:  Help young people in the UK develop new and more internationally oriented skill sets.  Strengthen international ties and position the UK as a leader and innovator in outward student mobility.

Why? - Background  UK education: world leader in higher education – popular destination for international students  But, comparatively few UK students go abroad to work or study.  Over 120,000 Chinese students in UK vs 4,250 UK students in China (2012)  US: 100,000 Strong Initiative  Need for globally minded young people to ensure the future success of UK business and competitiveness of the UK in an increasingly borderless marketplace.

Why? – Broadening Horizons research  Only 20% UK students surveyed considering studying abroad compared to 56% US respondents Source: British Council (2013), Broadening Horizons

Why? – Broadening Horizons research Barriers  Greatest barriers: costs (52%) & language ability (29%)  Also: lack of information (76%) Source: British Council (2013), Broadening Horizons

Why? – Broadening Horizons research Source: British Council (2013), Broadening Horizons Information

Generation UK: overcoming the barriers How?  Raising awareness  Promoting benefits  Creating more opportunities  Widening networks of support

Widening networks of support  Generation UK partners:  Local education authorities in China  Corporate sponsors

Academic study  Scholarships for study at mainland Chinese universities  One semester or a full academic year  National and provincial scholarships  2013/14 British Council China Scholarship  Application windows for 2014/15 to open in the new academic year

Internship programme  2 month internship placements across mainland China  Applications to open from July 2013  Placements, accommodation and pastoral care provided through external partners

Working with universities – career advisers  Employability – working together to keep our students competitive  Forging links between industry in China and UK-institutions:  University - Company placement schemes  2013 UK – Careers Advisers’ Mission to China

UK - China Student Forum  Raising awareness of the importance of student mobility  Platform for student perspectives on international education  Eight student representatives from the UK, eight from China  Week of activities: learn, experience, share, network

Stay tuned: upcoming events 2013 student road show:  Visiting universities across the UK in Autumn  Inspiring students to consider China