English UK members maximise Chinese ELT opportunity
30 April 2018


English UK members are following up contacts with Chinese agents after a series of successful contacts in Beijing and Shanghai.

Six member centres signed up for a package combining attendance at an annual student event in Beijing and a boutique agent fair in Shanghai, organised with the British Council.

English UK chair Steve Phillips, who attended part of the event for British Study Centres, said: "It was amazing opportunity for our members, just unbelievable. There were just six members, and 20 agents with a focus on China, a growing market for us. Anyone who didn't go really missed a trick."

New visa figures were released by UKVI in China during the Shanghai event, showing that the number of short-term study visas were up 46 per cent in 2017 to 24,800. Overall, 656,000 visas were issued to Chinese nationals, up 13 per cent. There was a 98 per cent success rate among visa applicants, with 99 per cent processed within 15 days.

Centres spent two days in the ELT zone at the China International Education Exhibition Tour (CIEET), an annual, Government-approved event providing students with the latest information on studying abroad. The UK pavilion attracted more than 12,000 visitors. The group then participated in a boutique agent fair in Shanghai meeting local study abroad agents. 

Su Si of the British Council in China said that CIEET was the biggest exhibition during the spring, and Chinese audiences got a great impression of the diversity and range of the UK's education offering. "Summer programmes were also promoted as a great taster opportunity for families who are considering sending their children to study abroad long-term. There is a clear demand for an in-depth and blended learning experience with international children," she said, adding that participating English UK members were very positive about the experience.

Want to do business in China?

Don't miss these opportunities for English UK members to meet Chinese agents this year include:

StudyWorld 2018 – includes a formal Chinese agent delegation which will then take a UK Fam Trip

China Roadshow – meet agents in Beijing, Chengdu and Shenzhen this November in a programme including business meetings, evening receptions, networking lunches and seminars.

Want to do business in the wider Asia Pacific region?

The English UK Asia Pacific Roadshow visits Japan and Thailand in November, with formal agent meetings and networking opportunities.

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