Number of international students in London continues to grow

The excellent facilities and cutting edge research which takes place at London’s top universities was the topic of a “Science in the City” seminar in Beijing today attended by top Chinese and International business and academics. Speakers at the seminar included Professor Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of UCL (University College London), Henry Wagg General Manager Shell China Ltd and Ian Barlow, Chair, Think London, the capital’s foreign direct investment agency.

The seminar was followed by an Alumni evening providing an opportunity for Chinese alumni from London’s universities and higher education colleges who are based in Beijing to network and witness the launch of a new book by  Professor Dr. Keith Gilbert and Professor Dr. Otto J. Schantz, “Paralympic Games: Empowerment or Side Show?” The book offers insights into the Paralympic Movement which have previously been explored in the academic press.

 London recently topped the Global University City Index for the second year running. The 2008 index has revealed the world’s best education centres with London leading the pack followed by Boston and Tokyo. London’s 43 universities form the largest concentration of higher education institutes in Europe - employing 3,400 world class researchers in science, technology and design, and 700 staff dedicated to managing business collaborations.

 There are currently 90,000 international students following a higher education programme in London  with more students from China than from any other country in the world. Chinese student numbers in London have nearly doubled in the last five years from 6,880 in 2002/3 to 10,335 in 2006/7, with the leading course choices being Business and Administrative (40 per cent), followed by Engineering and Technology (13 per cent).  It is estimated that Chinese students contribute over £110 million to London’s economy (in the 2005/6 academic year).
  London has a long and unique status as a scientific and medical centre, and is a major centre of teaching and research in medicine, science and technology. The city has a larger concentration of medical facilities than New York, Boston, Paris, Sydney, Frankfurt or Geneva – with 75 public hospitals, 46 private hospitals and 10 dedicated medical universities.  

 Recent growth in London’s scientific research base has been phenomenal. In biotechnology
 and medical technology, for example, the number of companies operating in the capital has doubled to more than 200 in the past seven years. The life science industry by itself contributed around £6 billion to the annual GDP of the city, with multinationals such as AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline having global headquarters here.

 Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, said: “It's not surprising that London is currently attracting so many students from around the world. The city is renowned for the opportunities it offers to international students, and its higher education sector is at the cutting-edge of scientific research and development. The number of Chinese students coming to London is growing, in fact this has nearly doubled between 2002 and 2007 - and I look forward to seeing this trend continue.

 "I urge even more international students to choose London as a place to study, and that those who have completed their studies still think of London as their second home, enjoying all that our city has to offer.”

Malcolm Grant, President and Provost of UCL (University College London), said: “Science students in London are not only at the centre of a world-renowned city of academic excellence with some of the world's top scientific universities, but close to the heart of commercial innovation and progress. London offers remarkable opportunities for contact and collaboration with many of the largest and most forward-thinking scientific-based companies in the world. Business managers also work closely with students and researchers in order to assist in commercialising research. At the moment, up to 70 per cent of the National Health Service’s research and development budget is spent in London, and London is home to five medical schools as well as numerous specialist medical research institutions and charities."

 “In addition transport links mean that when you are in London you are no more than 1.5 hours away from 80% of the UK biotechnology sector and less than 3 hours away from the majority of the European biotechnology sector.”

Notes to Editors

1. Journalists seeking further information or access to London House should register their interest with Hannah Pawlby or Toby Burnham – working on the LDA’s behalf at freud communications. Tel: 0044 7989304422 or 0044 7990555290 or email: Hannah.Pawlby@freud.com and Toby@freud.com
2. In order to secure access and membership of the house for corporate use contact Susi Golding on 020 7593 8317, email susigolding@lda.gov.uk or Louise Jones on 020 7593 8686, email louisejones@lda.gov.uk 
3. London House has been established by the London Development Agency as a venue for the London organizations in Beijing to promote London as a city in which to invest, to suty and to visit.  It is “a little bit of London in Beijing”.  The London House is based at Shi-Cha-Hai, and will be open from the 7-24 August.
4. The House is located at:
   Shi Cha Hai Club
   No49 Di An Men West Street
   Xi Cheng District
   Beijing