UK institutions continue to attract students from the UAE

According to the latest figures from the British Council (provided by the UK's Higher Education Statistics Agency), the total number of students from the UAE studying in the UK in academic year 2004/5 rose 10 per cent compared to the previous year. Most of the 1,810 students from the UAE currently studying in the UK are at undergraduate level, with the balance following postgraduate taught or research degree programmes.

The figures were announced in the build-up to Edukex 2006, the British Council's annual UK education exhibition at which more than 50 UK institutions will meet prospective students in the UAE, next month.

Jane East, UAE Assistant Education Promotion Manager at the British Council, explained: "The latest figures from HESA show a healthy increase in the number of students from the UAE choosing to study at UK institutions and follow the very strong increase in UAE student numbers that we saw for academic year 2003/4.

'The 2004/5 numbers break down into an almost even split between first degree and other undergraduate courses, and postgraduate programmes. The undergraduates are in their late teens and early 20s, mainly male students, whilst the postgraduate students tend to be over 30 years of age, again with a bias towards male students.'

"The UK continues to attract international students from all over the world because of the world class reputation of UK institutions, the high quality programmes and widely recognised qualifications, as well as the overall value for money they offer," added Ms East.

UAE-based students considering the UK as an overseas study destination have a rare opportunity to meet many of the UK's top institutions at Edukex 2006, which brings together UK universities, schools and colleges, offering everything from academic and vocational programmes to summer English language courses and A levels.

Edukex 2006 will take place on November 27th in Abu Dhabi and November 28th - 29th in Dubai, and will showcase over 50 institutions from across the UK.