Fri, 4 May 2012

Universities and science minister David Willetts has lent his support to a report recommending UK students are given better options and assistance in pursuing overseas work and study.

A report by professor Colin Riordan, chair of the UK Higher Education (UK HE) International Unit, looks at the incentives and obstacles to students studying and working abroad, and arrives at two major recommendations: the development of a national strategy to ensure the numbers of students choosing to go abroad increases in the future, and the creation of a scheme to ensure financial support for UK students abroad both within the EU and further afield.

Willetts says: “Study abroad offers a huge range of benefits for students taking part, and also for our universities and the wider UK economy. Students improve their employability, institutions develop their international links and businesses value the wider experience of those who’ve spent time abroad. It’s a win-win for all.”

Riordan adds that the UK ranks 25th in the world for the number of students studying overseas, commenting: “At a time when it is more important than ever for the UK to be competitive internationally, we look forward to working with the government to help increase the number of students deciding to study abroad.”