Internationalisation, in the long run

Added on 03/12/2008

The traditional model of recruiting international students to study in the UK is based on outdated demographic projections and, as such, presents an unacceptable level of risk for the UK HE sector. This is the message of Professor Sir Drummond Bone's submission to the Secretary of State's consultation on the future of higher education, 'Internationalisation of HE: A Ten-Year View'.

The key argument which emerges in this present review is that both to avoid instability in the recruitment market and to best promote the interests of the UK at large, its universities and their students, universities should focus their international efforts on a long term programme of internationalisation and avoid the temptation of short-term mass recruitment to traditional study in the UK. To do this will require a considerable investment of time, effort and finance. Government, the universities and the wider business community must decide how this is to be incentivised, organised, and funded.

Download Prof. Drummond's full response.

Shine! International Student Awards

Added on 02/12/2008

Run by the British Council, International Student Awards is now in its seventh year. The awards give recognition to international students who are actively participating in university and community life.

Last year the British Council received over 2,000 entries from students representing more than 200 different nationalities. Whether they are involved in volunteering, teaching or other worthwhile projects, the International Student Awards offers pro-active students the chance to earn some public recognition for their achievements outside the classroom.

Find out more

NUS International Campaign responds to the new immigration rules

Added on 29/10/2008

Follow the link to our response to the government's proposed changes to the immigration rules, as they effect international students.

International Students and Students’ Unions: Inclusion and Innovation

Added on 29/09/2008

Mary Ward House
5-7 Tavistock Place
London WC1H 9SN
UK

NUS and UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) are holding a one-day workshop in London focusing on the major issues facing international students. The event - to be run on an interactive 'open space' and 'knowledge café' basis - will provide a forum for identifying and debating issues of concern for those working in students’ unions in order to improve the experience of international students in the UK.

It will also give you an opportunity to learn about current NUS policy and strategy in this area, as well as new tools and approaches, and will provide guidance on the latest information sources and resources that you can use to support you in your work with international students.

The event is for:

• students’ union officers with responsibilities for international student issues eg international students officers (sabbaticals and volunteers)
• representatives of international societies and national student societies
• sabbatical officers responsible for welfare, education and diversity issues

All students’ unions are invited to participate, whether or not they are members or UKCISA or affiliated to NUS. Please note that this event is aimed at student officers, not at staff employed by students’ unions.

The event is free of charge and is funded by the Prime Minister’s Initiative for International Education (PMI). Limited assistance with travel costs may be available (though cannot be guaranteed) for those where this might prove a problem. If this is the case, please email celia@ukcisa.org.uk.

Register Now!

How much do you need to live in Britain?

Added on 06/06/2008

UNIAID, the student charity, and UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) have released a new online student lifestyle calculator, specifically for international students. This new online application is an addition to the existing UK-based student calculator and NUS is happy to support both apps as useful tools for students.

This tool helps international students plan and manage their money for studies in the UK. UKCISA’s research showed that almost a quarter (23 per cent) of international students said they didn’t have enough money to live on. Of those who had experienced hardship, 72 per cent said they underestimated the cost of living.

The International Student Calculator was developed with students from 13 different countries and enables students to;

• Build a lifestyle budget and see how it balances by week, month or over a year.
• Understand how they will spend their time as well as their money in the UK
• Learn from case studies and top tips from other students
• Save their budget so they can use it before arriving or during their study.

Visit the student calculator website now.

Not an international student? Visit the UK-based student calculator page.