UK schools are keen on more Indian students
"65% of students are 16 or 17 years of age. We can take them as young as 11 years, and 13 years is the next most popular."
By ET Bureau | Updated:
Anglo Schools International Services (ASIS), a federation of 14 of Britain's leading boarding schools, has been stepping up its efforts to recruit international students for British boarding schools and universities. With a focus on India, it is offering a scholarship programme of over Rs 9 crore to attract more students and has recently tied up with Credila Financial Services, a subsidiary of HDFC, to provide loans to parents wanting to send their children to its schools. The federation is headed by David Boddy, principal partner, ASIS. ET caught up with him when he was in India recently.
How has the number of Indian students to these schools been growing over the past few years?
The ASIS international scholarship programme is only in its second year. Two years ago, the total number of students from India in UK schools was 272.Last year, with the help of ASIS, it leapt to around 800. However, having said that, these numbers are only 10% of Chinese pupils.Our schools are very keen to take more Indian students. They are very hardworking and extremely bright. That is why we are putting up close to £1 million in scholarships to attract them.
Have you escalated efforts to attract more Indian students to UK schools?
This year, we are attending premier school shows all over India, including Delhi and Chandigarh.Our exam session finishes at the end of January so we are encouraging applicants to come aboard quickly. 65% of students are 16 or 17 years of age. We can take them as young as 11 years, and 13 years is the next most popular.
What is the city-wise breakup of school students headed to the UK? Have you mapped the profile of parents?
The majority of pupils are from Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. A small number are from Kolkata, although interest from there is growing. The profile of parents is that most have some international connection or want such a connection for their offspring.They usually send their children to fee-paying schools, but want the real international experience.
How has the number of Indian students to these schools been growing over the past few years?
The ASIS international scholarship programme is only in its second year. Two years ago, the total number of students from India in UK schools was 272.Last year, with the help of ASIS, it leapt to around 800. However, having said that, these numbers are only 10% of Chinese pupils.Our schools are very keen to take more Indian students. They are very hardworking and extremely bright. That is why we are putting up close to £1 million in scholarships to attract them.
Have you escalated efforts to attract more Indian students to UK schools?
This year, we are attending premier school shows all over India, including Delhi and Chandigarh.Our exam session finishes at the end of January so we are encouraging applicants to come aboard quickly. 65% of students are 16 or 17 years of age. We can take them as young as 11 years, and 13 years is the next most popular.
What is the city-wise breakup of school students headed to the UK? Have you mapped the profile of parents?
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The majority of pupils are from Delhi, Mumbai, Chandigarh, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. A small number are from Kolkata, although interest from there is growing. The profile of parents is that most have some international connection or want such a connection for their offspring.They usually send their children to fee-paying schools, but want the real international experience.
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