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Welcome to our June 2019 Newsletter!
UK Education Guide in the News!
How to find the best Summer school experience for international pupils?
In this latest article for ST Magazine, we look at the amazing range of UK summer school options available to international families; from parent and child camps to University focused courses delivered by Oxbridge academics.
The Summer school market is increasingly splitting between; ‘try before you buy’ options that help young people experience UK life and culture prior to a full time move to the UK to study and stand alone academically focused courses, generally aimed at older children.
A wide range of options are reviewed in the full article here
School news
Former Millfield pupil graduates from Harvard with Student Athlete Award
Former Millfield pupil Olivia Allin from Glastonbury has graduated from Harvard University with an English Honours in Human Evolutionary Biology and a secondary (minor) in Global Health and Health Policy.Olivia was also awarded the ‘Most Outstanding Student Athlete Award’ for her exceptional grade point average during the Harvard hockey season
Kingsley school sold to Chinese investment company
Kingsley school in North Devon has been sold to China First Capital Group (CFCG). The school’s web site announces, "For Kingsley to flourish it needs significant additional investment, beyond MIST’s (Methodist Independent Schools Trust’s) available resources." CFCG is both listed and headquartered in Hong Kong and has operations in other parts of the world including Singapore, the USA, China, Australia and the UK. CFCG aims to grow the School’s pupil roll and for it to become part of a select portfolio of UK boarding schools in the future.
Kings Colleges announce new University of Bristol pathway programme
This new initiative will offer guaranteed entry to the University of Bristol for students who have successfully completed Kings’s Advanced Level Foundation programme. Students will have the offer from Bristol, alongside their offer to Kings, before they arrive to study in the UK.
Global Education news round up
Return of post study work Visas for international students looks likely...
The UK government could be compelled to accept the return of post-study work visas for overseas students. The amendment to the immigration bill has now attracted cross party support and aims to force the government to allow overseas students to stay in the UK “to search for work or gain work experience” for “a period of at least two years” after the completion of their courses. The amendment also aims to prevent any government from capping overseas student numbers without parliamentary approval. In light of the scale of support, there is now an expectation that the government will accept the amendment rather than risk an embarrassing defeat.
www.timeshighereducation.com/news/uk-government-may-acquiesce-return-post-study-work-visas
China issues warning to US bound students.
“For some time, some of the visas for Chinese students studying in the United States have been restricted,” China’s Ministry of Education said. “The visa review period has been extended, the validity period has been shortened and the refusal rate has increased. This has affected the Chinese students studying in the United States normally or successfully completing their studies in the United States. The Ministry of Education reminds students and scholars to strengthen risk assessment before going abroad to study, enhance awareness of prevention and make appropriate preparations.”
The statement from China’s Ministry of Education comes amid increasing tensions between the U.S. and China over the issue of higher education and in the context of a broader trade war.
www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/06/04/chinese-officials-warn-students-visa-problems-if-they-come-us
EU students eligible for domestic tuition fees in 2020/21
EU students going to English universities next year will be eligible for domestic tuition fees and student loans for the duration of their course regardless of Brexit, the Department for Education (DfE) has announced. There had been concern that the reduced fee levels enjoyed by EU students versus other international students studying in Britain would be stopped next year if the UK leaves the EU with no deal.
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/may/28/eu-students-will-not-face-brexit-penalty-next-year
Our Student guide to London - the highlights and hidden gems
We have spent some time this month talking to international students in Leicester and most head to London for shopping and sightseeing when they have time or when friends and family visit them - so we have updated our London City Guide that was first published 2 years ago when we first launched UK Education Guide. Since then we have featured many different cities across the UK, so we thought it was time to head back to the capital to see what’s new!
London's Top Tourist Spots
There are so many tourist attractions to see in London that it is best to plan out what you want to visit ahead of time, so you miss nothing. Then plot your route either on an Underground map, a street map or decide which open-topped bus you will hop on to see as much as possible, in the shortest time.
It’s often best to group attractions together, so for example if you are heading to the South Bank you can take in Tower Bridge, The London Eye, the London Aquarium and then move on to the Palace of Westminster and Big Ben. St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Natural History Museum and the Science Museum are all worth a visit as are Trafalgar Square, Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and the Globe Theatre. You can choose which of them you are just going to view from the outside and which you will spend longer touring.
Popular Watering Holes
All that walking and photograph-taking might have made you thirsty and a trip to London has to include a visit to a pub or two. The pub is as much a part of British culture as fish and chips or a cup of tea. Pubs really can also tell you a great deal about British history and these five have just as much to say as a visit to a museum and you can enjoy a non alcoholic drink if you prefer…
The Star Tavern, Belgravia This establishment has seen many famous people pass through its doors including Diana Dors and Peter O’Toole. It also has the perhaps more infamous claim to fame of being the place where The Great Train Robbery was planned in the early 1960s.
The French House, Soho This pub was used as a meeting place for members of the French Resistance, including General de Gaulle, during the Second World War. Today it retains a French flavor and even the alcohol is served in measures used across the Channel. It is also a fine restaurant…
The Dog and Duck, Soho It was here that the novelist George Orwell used to drink, maybe gathering ideas for his next book. It has been mentioned that in more recent times Madonna has dropped by on occasion.
The Lamb and Flag, Convent Garden This pub can also boast it has been the hangout of great writers with Charles Dickens frequenting the bar as well as 17th Century poet John Dryden. This pub holds regular celebrations with the bunting being hung out every St. George’s Day.
The Viaduct, Newgate Street Opposite the Old Bailey, this pub may have acted as a temporary gaol at one time. It is also the last surviving Victorian gin palace in London and the perfect place to visit for a G&T.
If you prefer cocktail bars, then the world is your oyster in London, especially in recent years as the trend for cocktails has seen a resurgence: Callooh Callay, Love & Liquor, The Lucky Pig & Mr. Fogg’s are all worth heading to.
We also are adding a new cocktail bar that has opened since we last published the London Guide. The Sky Pod Bar at 20 Fenchurch street gives amazing views 35 floors up, right across London.
More next month in our Summer edition of the Newsletter.
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