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(Last updated: 13 Jul 2007)
Trends and opportunities
The market
Of the British students undertaking study in Australia, higher education accounts for 64 per cent of the market, vocational training students account for 26 per cent and secondary education accounts for seven per cent of the market.
Higher education
Over 30 per cent of secondary school students enter higher education in the UK with the minimum age of entry being 18.
An increasing number of mature students qualifying for higher education have completed relevant access courses and vocational qualifications. Most higher education students take degree courses lasting up to four years, although a ‘sandwich course’, which includes a period of work experience, may extend the length of the course by a year.
The fastest growing subject areas are computing and business studies, media studies and sport. The most recent data for students entering university in the UK show that English is the most popular choice followed by:
- general studies
- media, film and TV studies
- biology
- geography
- business studies
- history
While undergraduate students have enjoyed generous government subsidies in the past, the introduction of tuition fees and the phase-out of grants have begun to narrow the cost gap between UK and Australian undergraduate study. This should lead to brighter prospects for Australian higher education institutions in the British undergraduate market.
Maintenance grants which assisted students with living expenses have been replaced with means-tested loans. Most postgraduate students pay full tuition fees.
Further education
Further education in the UK encompasses vocational education and training, continuing general education and specialised professional qualifications. Further education institutions accept students over the age of 16 for full or part-time vocational courses or academic courses (‘bridging’ courses) required for entry into higher education.
Most further education institutions are part of the state sector, including further education colleges, colleges of technology, technical colleges, colleges of commerce and colleges of art. A small number of private further education providers include professional associations offering specialised qualifications in accountancy, banking, insurance, etc.
A considerable change in the further education sector will be the introduction of two-year foundation degrees designed and validated by the higher education sector. The sector will also be working closely with the new Learning and Skills Councils — the replacement for the Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs).
There are three main types of further education qualification:
- General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) are related to occupational areas rather than specific jobs. The courses provide a base of knowledge and skills necessary for entry into work or higher education. GNVQs are awarded at foundation intermediate and advanced levels. The most popular areas of study among GNVQ students are business studies, art and design, health and social care, and leisure and tourism.
- National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are work-based training courses focused on specific occupations. The qualification is available at five different levels (from basic level one to professional level five). NVQs are awarded for competency in specific work tasks rather than written examinations.
- Specialised qualifications – there are a wide range of professional associations that offer specialised courses that often result in a student’s becoming a professional member of the organisation. Some organisations require other qualifications in addition to the association’s examinations. These are often at the graduate or postgraduate level.
Distance education
The largest provider of distance education in the UK is the Open University. The university currently enrols 200,000 students (from the UK and overseas) in its distance programs, which lead to higher and further education qualifications.
Four UK universities announced an alliance with four US counterparts in the first of a series of steps to create a global network of ‘e-universities’. The alliance members will share research and teaching facilities and allow students to take part in distance learning across the Atlantic.
Opportunities
The UK market offers the best potential in higher education (particularly postgraduate). There is also some potential for further education (similar to vocational education):
- Higher education – subject areas with the greatest demand include business, computing and IT, engineering and sciences (including health and environmental science).
- Further education – subject areas with the greatest demand include business studies, health and social care, art and design and leisure and tourism.
Competitive environment
Australia is ranked third in the English-speaking world behind the US and the UK for the provision of education and training services. Australia attracts between 1500 and 2000 students from the UK each year. The market has grown by 150 per cent since 1994. The top English-speaking competitor is the US, which attracts nearly 8000 UK students every year.
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