Guests at launch hear of desire to drive cowboys out of education system

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Study Group has officially opened the Brighton Study Centre, a new £30 million facility purpose-built exclusively for international students, in a move which emphasises the UK’s position as global leader in international education.

The opening was attended by more than 200 guests representing the education sector in the UK and abroad as well as Study Group staff and students. The Mayor of Brighton and Hove, Lord Tomlinson of Walsall and other VIPs were given a tour of the new facility and met with some of the students.

Study Group provides academic preparation courses for international students wishing to study at English-speaking universities. Through the Bellerbys brand in the UK, Study Group provides academic preparation for international students wanting to study at English-speaking universities. Courses include GCSEs, A-Levels, specifically designed Foundation courses to gain entry into universities, a degree course and pre-masters qualifications.

Chief Executive Officer of Study Group, Heith Mackay-Cruise, said that by opening this new facility, which will attract students from over 120 countries, Study Group is proving it is the leading player in this industry, which is worth more than £12 billion annually to the UK economy.

“UK education is considered the gold standard worldwide and given the value of this great hidden export, we need to continue raising the standard and ensure that the UK remains a welcoming destination for international students. Study Group is keen to preserve the credibility of the industry and stamp out the criticism over immigration issues,” Mr Mackay-Cruise said.

Lord Tomlinson, who is Chairman of the Association of Independent Higher Education Providers (AIHEP), supported this view. “Through its active membership of AIHEP, Study Group, along with the other high quality private education providers, is leading the way in influencing the Government to tighten procedures for enrolment and the monitoring of international students, and to crack down on bogus colleges. Once these new measures are introduced in January 2009, hundreds of these colleges, which until now have been easy vehicles for illegal immigration, will not pass the necessary accreditation. They will therefore not be able to act as sponsoring colleges and will close immediately. This will be a huge step forward in reinforcing the internationally renowned standard of UK education and will drive the “cowboys” out of the system,” he said.

The eco-friendly, 1000-student capacity centre, set over four storeys, occupies a prime city location and features 74 classrooms with science, art and IT facilities; a comprehensive library, bookshop and medical room; 375 en suite single study bedrooms, a restaurant and a central atrium where students can meet and socialise.