London show sells UK education to worldwide buyers

Universities, colleges, boarding schools, language centres and publishers are taking part in a major event to sell UK education to the rest of the world next week, supported by the Department for International Trade.

StudyWorld introduces UK educators to international buyers, including foreign governments and global companies who want to meet their training needs locally and send students to the UK. This is the first year that the event – an annual fixture since 1969 –  has focused purely on what the full spectrum of UK education has to offer.

“We’ve had huge interest from the rest of the world. Governments, companies and international study agents are very excited by the idea of being able to talk to the full range of UK educators under one roof at StudyWorld, already a known and trusted event,” said Sarah Cooper, Chief Executive of education trade body English UK which organises the event.

“Brexit was not on the radar when we began planning to shift the focus of StudyWorld, but now it is an important consideration. Obviously, the UK is keen to increase its exports, and we have a global reputation for our education, both here in the UK and abroad. With the right support from government, this sector can help support our future economy and our post-Brexit place in the world, thanks to the soft power benefits education brings.”

StudyWorld, which takes place at the QEII Centre in Westminster on 4-6 September, is supported by the Department for International Trade. The 680 delegates include UK universities, colleges, English language specialists, boarding schools, and publishers as well as commercial officers from UK embassies, representatives of embassies based in London, international universities and overseas governments, as well as many study travel agents from around 60 countries.

Delegates can arrange up to 47 one-to-one business meetings during the event, which also includes networking opportunities and a keynote address by Gavin Esler, former BBC journalist and Chancellor of the University of Kent, as well as a speech by Mark Garnier, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Trade at the DIT.

Lord Bilimoria, President of the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) and Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Students, will address the Welcome Reception on Monday evening.