The UK-based University of Sussex claims to offer a number of Under Graduate (UG), Post Graduate (PG) and PhD programmes in STEM, Banking and Finance, History, Arts, Entertainment, Journalism, Environmental Studies, Social Sciences, among others. . In the wake of the introduction of the graduate immigration route or study work visa, there has been a substantial surge in student interest from Central and South Asia and the prevalent trends show a continued strong preference for courses in study, business, engineering and computer science, Isobel Hussey, regional manager, Central and South Asia, University of Sussex, told FE Education. “These subjects remain highly popular among students hailing from these regions. Additionally, there is a growing interest in fields such as Psychology, especially Clinical Psychology and mental health and well-being. This trend is prominent not only in India but also in Turkey,” she added.
Furthermore, the institute claims that there is an increase in demand for courses focused on sustainability and future-proofing, such as green finance, sustainable finance and accounting. “This demand is driven by sustainability initiatives in countries such as India, which require businesses to invest in sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Hence, this trend is gaining traction as well,” Hussey said.
Further, the university claims that one of the factors that led to the growing trend of study abroad is the support and investment provided by home countries for their students. “For instance, we have a thriving community of fully sponsored students from the Turkish, Kazakhstani and Indian governments, which is often overlooked. These students receive government scholarships to pursue their education internationally,” she said.
As for making education more accessible and affordable to international students, the university claims to have taken steps such as Sussex India Scholarship, which offers £3000 (Rs 2.65 lakh) to international students. “It has been instrumental in attracting Indian students. This scholarship has been well-received, providing recognition to Indian students interested in pursuing postgraduate courses at the University of Sussex,” Hussy added. Further the university claims that it offers pre-arrival information and guidance to prepare students for their journey to the UK through its staff members based in India. This includes assistance with visa applications and financial planning.
Moreover, the university claims to have inked partnerships and agreements with various institutions in India for initiatives such as student exchange and double degree programmes. “For instance, we have an articulation agreement with Jindal Global University, allowing its students to enroll in the second year of the two years of undergraduate degree. This arrangement provides students with a double degree from both institutions, offering cost-efficiency and exposure to the strengths of both universities” Hussey said.
In addition to this, it claims to work closely with institutions such as Amity University and claims to have a network of education counseling partners. “These partnerships encompass various models, taking advantage of the opportunities presented by the National Education Policy (NEP) in India. This includes articulation agreements, progression agreements, staff exchange, student exchange and other collaborative initiatives,” she added.
The university further claims to face significant challenges with the prolonged visa processing times and claims that this situation puts students who have submitted their documents on time in a stressful position, as it can dely their course time lines. . “While we strive to be lenient and understanding, we also need to maintain fairness and ensure that students do not miss a substantial portion of their coursework due to visa delays. This is a pressing concern that we are actively addressing,” she said.