BUILA's (British Universities' International Liaison Association) Efforts In Simplifying Education Applications For Indian Students

Last year, more than 28 British universities signed a pledge to follow the national AQF pledge. How does BUILA work with the Indian government and other partners to improve opportunities and support for Indian students wanting to study in the UK?

Catriona McCarthy: BUILA (British Universities' International Liaison Association) collaborates with the British Council, UUKI, and UKCISA to implement the Agent Quality Framework (AQF), benefiting both agents and students. Over 110 institutions, including universities and pathway providers, have pledged to AQF. The aim is to promote AQF, ensuring Indian students receive excellent support and experiences in the UK. Additionally, over 5,000 counsellors globally completed the British Council's accredited training. The AQF student guide is crucial, offering advice on choosing an education agent. It encourages students to verify if their counsellor has completed the British Council-accredited training and consult the certified agents and counsellors database for trusted partners.

BUILA and its members collaborate with the British Council in India to support the Indian government in providing a variety of higher education opportunities. The UK is a popular destination for Indian students, with a higher number. of applicants.

What initiatives does BUILA have to keep universities updated on best practices and emerging trends in agent management? Tell me more about the training programs and standardised processes to enhance agent service standards. 

Catriona McCarthy: The Agent Quality Framework and the recent pledge are a continuous commitment to maintaining the highest standards of agent management. Universities and education providers that sign the pledge commit to: 

• Empowering Student Choice and Enabling Informed Decision Making
• Ensuring good agent governance and professionalism 
• Promoting ethical agent practices, professional knowledge and competency 
• Increasing Transparency and Accountability 

BUILA and the British Council prioritise a vital partnership for excellent student support through education agents. Best practices involve clear objectives, regular reviews, and effective communication with a student-centric approach. BUILA conducts AQF masterclasses and workshops for universities, ensuring high standards. The collaboration enhances agent training, providing up-to-date guidance for students. Future plans include an information-sharing system and standardised feedback channels for student experiences with agents.

How do the recent changes in the UK's international student visa norms regarding dependent family members impact the decision-making process of Indian students considering studying in the UK?

Rittika Chanda Parruck: Starting in January 2024, International postgraduate research students in the UK can sponsor their dependents. The change only affects postgraduate programmes, not Master of Research (MRes) or doctorate programmes. Government scholarship recipients are exempt. Since most UK postgraduate programmes are short-term, the impact is limited compared to other countries. The change doesn't affect other visa routes, ensuring options for students. Undergraduate students still can't bring dependents and this remains unchanged.

What are those unique selling points about coming here to study, work, and live in the UK? How does the UK address post-study opportunities for Indian students, including potential work options or pathways for further education after completing their studies? 

Rittika Chanda Parruck: The UK stands out for academic excellence, with globally top-ranked universities offering diverse programmes across disciplines. These institutions, supported by renowned faculty and cutting-edge facilities, prepare students for success in today's competitive job market. Streamlined master's programmes minimise opportunity costs for a swift workforce transition and financial accessibility is ensured through scholarships and funding options for international students.

UK institutions prioritise employability by fostering practical experience through internships and placements, backed by robust industry connections. The International Graduate Outcomes study reports that 83 per cent of international graduates credit their UK degree for job success.

Students can work up to 20 hours per week during term time and potentially up to 40 hours per week during vacation periods. Initiatives like the Graduate Route and Young Professional Scheme enhance work opportunities. The Graduate Route allows international students to work or seek employment in the UK for up to 2 years (3 years for Ph.D. students). The Young Professional Scheme visa permits Indian citizens aged 18 to 30 to live and work in the UK for up to 2 years.

Are there financial aid or scholarship options available specifically for Indian students looking to pursue higher education in the UK and how can they access these opportunities? 

Rittika Chanda Parruck: The UK provides financial aid and scholarships for Indian students, with over GBP 6 million disbursed in the past 3 years. The government, colleges and the British Council offer scholarships for various courses. Notable programmes like the Charles Wallace India Trust Scholarships support Indian students, professionals and artists in specific fields, promoting cultural exchange and expertise development in the visual arts, heritage conservation and music.

The UK offers various notable scholarships, including these:

• GREAT Scholarships: Supported by the British Council and the UK government, these scholarships cover tuition fees for one-year postgraduate courses across diverse subjects. Applications for this academic year are currently open.
  
  
• British Council Women in STEM Scholarships: Fully funded scholarships for women pursuing postgraduate STEM courses in the UK. These scholarships cover various expenses, and applications for the current academic year are still open.
  
  
• Commonwealth Scholarships: The UK government annually provides approximately 800 Commonwealth Scholarships for postgraduate studies, including tuition fees, living expenses and additional allowances. Awarded based on academic excellence and potential contribution to home country development.
  
  
• Chevening Scholarships: Supported by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, these prestigious scholarships cover tuition fees, living expenses, and additional allowances for a year of study in the UK, targeting individuals with leadership potential worldwide, including India.

Are there any challenges that Indian students commonly face in the application and transition process to the UK, and what support systems or resources are available to address these challenges? 

Rittika Chanda Parruck: The UK application process for studying abroad is generally straightforward, with no entrance exams required except for specific subjects. The British Council, in collaboration with BUILA, conducts various sessions, including briefings, information sessions, school visits and webinars, to guide and assist students through this process. Additionally, valuable resources are available on the Study UK  official website for students. 

The British Council website provides valuable tools and resources for students planning to study and live in the UK. These include information on studying, available courses, guides on student visas, policies and processes, along with details on events and seminars for the UK alumni community.

Would you like to share any notable success stories or case studies of any students that can guide aspirants looking to build great careers? 

Rittika Chanda Parruck: Indian alumni who have pursued education in the UK have made remarkable strides across various domains, including business, entrepreneurship, the arts, and policymaking. One shining example is Jebin Johny, the visionary CEO behind Jebsispar, a sustainable luxury clothing brand based in Kerala. Armed with an MA in Fashion and Textile Design from the University of Northampton, UK, Jebin returned to India and unveiled his brand at the prestigious Lakme Fashion Week. 

Jebsispar has not only garnered attention for its exquisite handloom cotton garments, lasting over 45 years, but it has also become a symbol of sustainable fashion. Jebin's innovative approach involves collaborating with local weavers, artisans, and tailors in Kuthampully, Kerala and providing them with fair wages. Rejecting the notion of fleeting trends, his designs draw inspiration from hand-block paintings and are digitally printed onto handloom fabric using eco-friendly and natural dyes. 

Jebin's success story underscores the transformative impact of his UK education, particularly the MA course in Fashion and Textile Design. The programme not only equipped him with technical skills but also cultivated a designer's mindset, enabling him to envision and create sustainable fashion solutions. His journey stands as a testament to the profound influence of UK education in shaping visionary leaders and innovators on the global stage.

What are the future plans and collaborative efforts that BUILA and the British Council envision to further enhance student mobility and international education opportunities?  

Catriona McCarthy: BUILA and the British Council collaborate closely on projects to boost student mobility. Their recent joint initiative focused on strengthening the institutional capacity for internationalisation in Indian higher education. The project aimed to understand the context of internationalisation in the Indian higher education sector and identify the drivers for internationalisation at both sectoral and institutional levels. The first part outlined the skills and training approaches needed to support staff engaged in internationalisation in Indian higher education.

Moving forward, the next phase involves UK universities designing and delivering capacity-building modules based on the research findings. These modules aim to support and enhance internationalisation efforts in Indian higher education institutions.