1st Meeting of Thailand Country Partners 3 February 2006

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1st Meeting of Thailand Country Partners 3
February 2006
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Agenda

• The market and competition
• A comparison of visa statistics and performance
• Plan for 2006
• Question Answers

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The market and competition

• Overall numbers (based on visas issued) for 5
  English speaking countries larger than pre 1997
  crash
• Growth as a result of the economy and people
  buying into short term study abroad options
  local quality of postgraduate and schools
  provision perceived to be poor government
  scholarships esp. PhD scholarships
• Strong switching from the US still continues as a
  result of security and visa related issues, but
  honeymoon wont last forever!
• The UK is now market leader, with Australia
  experiencing a significant drop as a result of
  agent switching, unfavourable exchange rates and
  low quality perceptions
• New Zealand numbers now falling mainly due to
  adverse perceptions and limited offer
• France, Germany and Holland undertaking
  collective promotion events under the banner of
  the EU and have been more aggressive. UK engaged
  in exhibition Nov 2006 (TBC) but the offer is
  very different

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Top 16 priority research areas, as set out by MOE
in October 2005

• Dentistry Veterinary
• Medicine Computer
• Allied Health Science Engineering
• Mathematics Jewellery
• Nursing Science Accounting
• Pharmacology Language Teaching
• Science Agro-Industry
• Architecture Pedagogy

In addition a total of 46 subjects covered, such
as Physiology, Forensic Science, Nursing Science,
Nanotechnology, Remote Sensing, Computer Science,
Jewellery Design, Agro-Industry etc.
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Collaborative Research Network (CRN) Update

• Head of CHE has agreed funding for a further year
  with a rebrand to Strategic Research Network
• Research areas within network will be made
  broader to allow increased flexibility
• Scholarship allocations will be by country to
  even out number travelling to US
• CHE now inviting country bids with favourable
  terms (eg. reduced bench fees)
• Conditional offers from UK Universities have
  stalled application process in a number of cases.
  CHE open to offers as to how to resolve this

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UK student visa issued 1998-2005
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Students visas issued by country (2005)
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Comparison of market share
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Comparison of market share

• The USA gained a 36.4 market share in 2001,
  since when its market share has continuously
  declined. At the end of 2005, the USA gained only
  24.2 , due to its visa regulations policy.
• Australia also gained a larger market share
  during 2001-2005 however, the number of student
  visas issued each year has fluctuated. At the end
  of 2005, they had a 28.5 market share, which
  has constantly declined since 2001.
• The UK had only a 22.8 market share in 2000 but
  since then the number of student visas has
  constantly increased. It became the market leader
  in 2004 and remained so in 2005.

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Key findings about student visas (Jan-Jun 05)

Gender
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Key findings about student visas (Jan-Jun 05)

Age group
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Key findings about student visas (Jan-Jun 05)

Residential Area
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Key findings about student visas (Jan-Jun 05)
Level of Study
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Key findings from students' visas (Jan-Jun 05)

Percentage of students who applied in higher
education level only
Subject Area
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Summary of market information about Chiang Mai
and Khon Kaen

• General information
• Market size student numbers
• Institutions profile (links and collaborations
  with the UK or other countries)

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Plan for 2006

• Promotional activities- Pre-departure briefing
  ? May-June 06- Education UK talks ?July-October
  06- ELT mission ? November 06- Education UK
  exhibition 07 ? 27-28 January 07 (TBC)
• Prints and publications- Education UK
  newsletter ? April, July, October, January 07-
  Newsletter to country partners ?- Thai Guide 07
  ? January 07
• Memberships services- market research -
  e-newsletter ? March, June, September, December
  - Country partners meeting ?10th July 2006 in
  Manchester

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Questions and Discussions