KUWAIT CITY, Jan 20: Education UK Exhibition (EDUKEX) has begun on Wednesday with a large number of parents and students inquiring about all the services the present universities have to offer.

 The exhibition was inaugurated by Undersecretary for Higher Education at the Ministry of Education, Dr Khalid Al-Saad, Director of the British Council, Stephen Forbes, as well as Charge d’Affaires at the British Embassy, Tim Stew.
Potential students investigated the courses available at each university, tuition fees, accommodation availability as well as employment opportunities after graduating from the UK. Along with the exhibitor stands, British Council stands were also present at the exhibition in order to provide students with more generic advice on choosing institutions and as well as a stand for HSBC Bank to assist students with UK bank accounts.
Speaking to the Arab Times, Dr Walid Alobeid, International Officer for the University of Derby said: "This is the second time we’ve attended the exhibition. We have a good number of Kuwaiti students doing all subjects from engineering to business and we expect the same and more this year from the Kuwaiti market. The university is also looking forward to partnerships with other Kuwaiti universities as well."
The visa requirements for all universities follow the ‘Points Based System’ where applicants pre-assess their application in 40 points. The points are broken down into 30 points for a regional sponsor letter from the educational establishment and 10 points for applicants showing evidence of ability to maintain themselves whilst in the UK as well as ability to pay course fees.
On her part, Helen Templar, International Officer of the University of Glasgow in Scotland said: "We have high expectation from the Kuwaiti market especially on the postgraduate level. For us, we don’t accept Kuwaiti public school high school certification (Thanawiya) so we require students to do a foundation course to do undergraduate programs. Particular courses such as engineering, management and a lot of medical courses as well are quite popular at our university."
Most universities guarantee first year accommodation to international students if they prefer. Prices of accommodation range from £300 - 700 a month, however, in London prices can reach to £1,200 a month. Most universities also require English foundation courses to be taken before the student continues to bachelors if he/she does not have the accepted high school certificates such as IGCSE.
Potential UK university student, Sherif, spoke about his reasons for contemplating studying in the UK. He said: "I graduated from a British school in Kuwait and I believe the British educational system is one of the greatest. I have a bachelor degree in architecture and I want to gain a postgraduate degree from the UK. I’m looking for a university that can offer me something in environmental control."
Another student said that he is mainly looking for the employment opportunities the UK universities have to offer after graduations while one parent, Slava, said that her daughter did very well in IGCSEs and she is qualified for a scholarship. "My daughter is looking for scholarships in subjects she is interested in such as media, journalism and I prefer that she goes to the UK," she said.
Below is a brief descriptions on accommodation, campus life and tuition fees of some of the universities available at the exhibition for students and parents:
1. Aberdeen University
King’s College
Aberdeen Scotland AB24
Phone: +44 (0)1224 272090/91
Fax: +44 (0)1224 272576
Website: www.abdn.ac.uk/sras
University of Aberdeen is one of the UK’s most internationally distinguished universities. It has a student population of around 14,000 and a large international community of students drawn from 120 different countries. The University is at the forefront in many areas of arts and social sciences, in science, computing, engineering and technology, and in ground-breaking disciplines focused firmly on the 21st century, such as Bio-Medical Computing Science.
The University has a beautiful central campus where ancient buildings sit side by side with modern, newly refurbished, laboratories, first-class computing facilities and the latest library technology. The University promotes a multi-national, multi-faith community. A place in University Halls is normally guaranteed to all students during their first year, and these are either on, or within short walking distance of the main teaching site.
International Student Fees for 2010/11
Undergraduate Arts-based programs: £9,500
Undergraduate Science-based programs: £11,800
Clinical Medicine: £23,625
Postgraduate Arts-based programs: £9,715
Postgraduate Science-based programs: £12,075
Graduate Business School MSc programs: £9,945
Graduate Business School MBA programs: £12,500
2. Aston University
Aston Triangle
Birmingham England B4 7E
Phone: +44 (0)121 204 4888
Fax: +44 (0)121 204 3888
Website: www.aston.ac.uk
Aston provides students with a dynamic and stimulating teaching and learning environment, aimed at equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for professional careers.
All Aston’s Student Accommodation is on campus with a guarantee to international students of accommodation in university residences for the duration of their studies. Students can choose from a place in one of the university’s comfortable high and low rise flats or an en suite room in the Lakeside residences.
Tuition fees for undergraduate 2009/10 Entry
Classroom based programs: £10,200 per year
Semi-laboratory based programs (Computing Science, Multimedia Computing, Psychology and Transport Management): £11,200 per year
Laboratory based programs (Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biology, Math, Logistics): £12,300 per year
Sandwich/placement year fee (for placements taking place in 2009/10): £1,800
International Foundation Programs: £9,200
3. University of Bangor
Bangor
Wales LL57
Phone: +44 (0)1248 382028
Fax: +44 (0)1248 383268
Website: www.bangor.ac.uk
Bangor has students from over 70 countries world-wide so the city has a thriving international community, which provides a welcoming and supportive learning environment for international students who wish to develop their full potential through our range of high quality, well-founded and established study programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Situated near to the spectacular mountains of Snowdonia and with the sea close by, Bangor is one of the most attractive study locations in the UK.
Undergraduate fees: £8,800 - £9,900
Postgraduate fees: £8,800 - £10,700 (with exceptions)
4. Bellerbys College
Lorna House, 103 Lorna Road
Brighton and Hove England BN3 3EL
Phone: +44 (0)1273 723911
Fax: +44 (0)1273 328445
Website: www.bellerbys.com
Bellerbys offers students Intensive academic preparation programs, English language training, practical study skills for university success, top quality teachers and teaching, full counselling and advice on university application, and a choice of locations in the major university cities; Brighton, Cambridge, London and Oxford.
Tuition fees for courses in Sept 2009-Aug 2010
A Level: £5670 per term
Bellerbys Summer: £800 per week
Diploma: £4,960 per term
English Language Preparation: £4,340 per term
Foundation: £4,960 per term
GCSE: £5,400 per term
Masters Qualifying Program: £3,760 per term
Pre-GCSE: £4,340 per term
Pre-Masters: £3,760 per term
Summer IELTS Preparation: £2,200 per course
5. Birmingham City University
Birmingham England B42 2
Phone: +44 (0)121 331 6714
Fax: +44 (0)121 331 6314
Website: www.bcu.ac.uk
Birmingham City University has more than 25,000 students and over 300 courses to choose from. It is said to be a truly global and national university located within a unique multicultural and cosmopolitan atmosphere, situated in the heart of vibrant, diverse and modern city; with Birmingham International Airport nearby and good transport connection to London and the rest of the UK. Strong links with industry and professional bodies facilitate a highly vocational approach; many courses include the option of work placements and consultancy projects strong links with industry and professional bodies facilitate a highly vocational approach; many courses include the option of work placements and consultancy projects.
For academic year 2010-11, the international fees will be:
MBA, TEE Postgraduate courses - Higher Band: £11,350
Postgraduate courses, TEE Postgraduate courses - Lower Band: £9,750
Undergraduate courses: £9,250
BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design: £6,650
BTEC National Diplomas (Design Crafts, Fashion and Clothing, Three Dimensional Design): £6,650
Foundation Certificate English for Academic Purposes: £6,650
Conservatoire courses: £12,750
Birmingham School of Acting courses: £12,240 - £13,770
6. Birmingham University
Edgbaston
Birmingham England B15 2
Phone: +44 (0)121 414 3694
Fax: +44 (0)121 414 3850
Website: www.bham.ac.uk
Birmingham University has been hosting international students since 1900. It boasts one of the largest international student communities in the UK. The mix of people, nationalities and cultures on campus greatly enriches the learning and teaching environment, ensuring that students, academic staff and partners across the world benefit from the experience that the University of Birmingham has to offer.
Standard fees:
Non laboratory-based courses: £10,800
Laboratory-based courses: £13,950
Clinical courses: £25,685
12 Month MBA: £17,700
International Foundation Programs:
Business, Law, Arts and Social Science: £10,800
Engineering: £13,950
Physics: £13,950
Chemistry: £13,950
7. Bradford College
Great Horton Road, Bradford
England BD7 1
Phone: +44 (0)1274 753348
Fax: +44 (0)1274 736175
Website: www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk
Bradford College offers higher education and further education courses encompassing all levels including foundation, undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. Many of these have been carefully developed in close co-operation with industry, commerce, professional and nationally validating bodies. The cost of living is inexpensive in Bradford, compared to other major UK cities. Students will find excellent accommodation in a city that welcomes in excess of 30,000 students per year, from all over the UK and overseas. Bradford is a cosmopolitan city situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Moors with easy access to many interesting places throughout the UK.
Tuition fees:
Foundation Courses in Business / IT / Computing: £5200
Higher National Diploma (HND): £7,000
Foundation Degree: £7,000
Undergraduate Degree (BA / BSc): £7,000
Pre-Masters (September intake only): £4,000
MA Marketing Practice/International Business/ Management/Med: £7,800
MA Visual Arts: £7,800
8. University of Bradford
Richmond Road
Bradford England BD7 1
Phone: +44 800 073 1225
Fax: +44 (0)1274 236260
Website: www.bradford.ac.uk
According to the University, visitors to the city of Bradford often comment on how friendly the local people are, and this atmosphere continues when students get to the University campus. Students will find a diverse mix of people from different backgrounds, faiths, nationalities and ages all sharing the closely-knit city centre campus.
Undergraduate International fees - 2009/10:
Engineering/Science Courses including the foundation degree: £10,900
Management/Social Science Courses including the foundation degree: £8,600
Sandwich course Engineering/Science: £2,180
Sandwich course Management/Social Science: £1,720
All other foundation years Engineering/ Science: £10,900
All other foundation years Management/Social Science: £8,600
9. University of Buckingham
Hunter Street
England MK18
Phone: +44 (0)1280 820220
Fax: +44 (0)1280 822245
Website: www.buckingham.ac.uk
According to the University, Buckingham’s honors degrees only take two years to complete because students work intensively and efficiently with very short vacations. There’s no cutting of corners and no ‘distance learning’. Students can start their degrees in September, January or July. All students at Buckingham are guaranteed a room in student accommodation during their first year of study, provided that they complete and return their accommodation contract in advance. The attractive, quiet, safe campus provides the perfect place to study.
Undergraduate fees:
January 2010 start (8-term degree): £3,525 (Termly fee 2010) - £3,690 (Termly fee 2011)
July 2010 start (8-term degree): £3,525 (Termly fee 2010) - £3,690 (Termly fee 2011)
September 2010 start (8-term degree - in Business): £3,525 (Termly fee 2010) - £3,690 (Termly fee 2011)
September 2010 start (9-term degree): £2,460 (Termly fee 2010) - £2,460/£3,690 (Termly fee 2011)
10. Cambridge Regional College
Kings Hedges Road
Cambridge CB4 2QT
Phone: +44 (0)1223 226317
Fax: +44 (0)1223 226391
Email: info@camre.ac.uk
Website: www.camre.ac.uk
Situated in the historic and internationally renowned city of Cambridge, the College boasts some of the finest new accommodation and resources in the country and achieves student examination passes in academic and vocational courses which are consistently above national averages. Cambridge Regional College offers a unique range of opportunities for international students from all over the world providing not just English, but English combined with vocational an academic university preparation courses. Tuition fees: £5,200 - £7,000
11. Cardiff University
42 Park Place
Cardiff Wales CF10
Phone: +44 (0)29 2087 4432
Fax: +44 (0)29 2087 4622
Website: www.cardiff.ac.uk
According to the University, Cardiff is an excellent city in which to live and study. Shortlisted for European Capital of Culture 2007, its cosmopolitan nature provides something for everyone, from the excitement of the city centre to the peace and tranquility of the surrounding countryside. Such is the quality of the ‘Cardiff experience’ that a recent survey a large majority of students said they would like to stay and live in the city after graduating from university.
Tuition Fees 2010-11:
Arts Courses: £10,100 (Exception: Study Abroad Programme - TBC)
Science Courses: £12,950
MBA: £16,965
12. University of Central Lancashire
Preston England PR1 2
Phone: +44 (0)1772 201201
Fax: +44 (0)1772 894954
Website: www.uclan.ac.uk
UCLan is a UK university that boasts truly international focus. It is home to students and staff from many different social and ethnic backgrounds. Most of the university buildings are within a ten minute walk of each other. There’s a student information centre and a brand new Students’ Union situated in the centre of the campus. There are over sixty clubs and societies students can join which will help them to make friends from the UK and around the world.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Fees:
Non lab-based: £8,950 - Scholarship: £1,000
Lab-based: £9,450 Scholarship: £1,000
13. David Game College
69 Notting Hill Gate
London England W11
Website: http://www.davidgame-group.com
David Game College has the following advantages according to its website: Small classes - the GCSE and A Level average class size of eight ensures that all students receive individual attention; A wide variety of subjects for GCSE and AS/A Levels; Safe and supportive learning environment within Central London; Exam-focused courses with strong emphasis on the use of past papers and testing; Academic support programs (memory training, preparation for LNAT and BMAT via Uniprep). It provides detailed and tailored seminars on university entry with full guidance as well as special seminars for Medical and Oxbridge entry. Fees range from £1,500 - £23,000
14. University of East Anglia
Earlham Road, Norwich
England Website: www.international.uea.ac.uk
The University of East Anglia (UEA) is an internationally renowned university based in a campus that provides top quality academic, social and cultural facilities to over 13,000 students. Located in 320 acres of rolling parkland but just two miles from the centre of the cathedral city of Norwich the University is adjacent to the Norwich Research Park which is home to over 1,000 scientists working in several world ranked institutions.
Sporting facilities on campus include the University Sports-park which houses an Olympic sized swimming pool and regularly hosts international sporting events. UEA also has the world famous Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts and hosts an International Literary Festival which has included famous names such as Ian McEwan and Kazuo Ishiguro (both alumni of UEA’s Creative Writing course).
Tuition Fees 2009/10:
Undergraduate (Bachelor)
Arts & Social Sciences + Math: £9,850
Sciences (excluding Math): £12,350
MB/BS (Medicine): £19,260
Postgraduate Taught (Masters)
Arts & Social Sciences + Computing & Math: £9,975
Lab Based Sciences: £12,600
Norwich Business School: £12,500 (MSc Brand Leadership £15,000)
Faculty of Health: £12,780
Full-Time MBA (January start only): £15,000
15. University of Essex
Wivenhoe Park, Colchester
England CO4 3
Phone: +44 (0)1206 874886
Fax: +44 (0)1206 872371
Website: www.essex.ac.uk
There are more than 9,000 students studying at three campuses across Essex, according to the university. Academic departments span the humanities, social sciences, science and engineering, and law and management. Students at the University of Essex can study on one of three campuses: Colchester Campus, Southend Campus and East 15, Loughton Campus. All the campuses are less than one hour from central London.
The University’s largest campus is based in beautiful parkland at Colchester. Essex has a further state-of-the-art town centre campus at Southend, with our East 15 Acting school based at Loughton. The local airport of Stansted, less than 1 hour away, gives access via cheap flights to over 100 destinations in Europe and beyond.
Tuition fees for 2009/10:
International Bridging Year and Year 0 of 4 year degree programs: £8,350
Certificate of Higher Education in Business: £11,350
Standard fee Undergraduate degrees: £9,990
Higher fee for Biology and Psychology Undergraduate degrees: £11,990
Standard fee for Postgraduate degrees: £9,990
Higher fee for Biology, Finance and Psychology Postgraduate degrees: £11,990
16. University of Glasgow
No.1 The Square
Glasgow Scotland G12 8
Phone: +44 (0)141 330 4438
Fax: +44 (0)141 330 4045
Website: www.gla.ac.uk
The University of Glasgow provides a rich cultural, social and educational mix which appeals to students and staff from all over the world. The city of Glasgow has a reputation throughout the world as a friendly and welcoming place with a vibrant cultural life. The University has three main campuses. Gilmorehill, the main campus with its distinctive outline silhouetted on the city’s skyline, is in the cosmopolitan West End of Glasgow, just three miles away from the vibrant city centre and connected by subway and frequent buses. The second campus, Garscube, houses the Vet School and outdoor sports facilities and is just four miles further out of the city. The University’s Dumfries campus is located on the outskirts of Dumfries, in South West Scotland.
Full-time student graduate and post-graduate tuition fees range from £9,800 - £23,450
17. University of Greenwich
University of Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich
London England SE10
Phone: +44 (0)20 8331 8242
Fax: +44 (0)20 8331 8625
Email: j.p.wall@gre.ac.uk
Website: www.gre.ac.uk
The university has three campuses; Avery Hill, in the south-east London district of Eltham; Greenwich, in the historic London borough; and Medway, which is in Chatham Maritime, Kent.
The university guarantees, for September intakes only, that all new international students will be offered a place for their first year of study either in one of the university’s halls of residence, or in university-approved housing, providing the student application is received by the first week of September. All halls have single study rooms and students do not share rooms. Accommodation at Greenwich Maritime, Medway and the Village at Avery Hill have single study rooms arranged in flats (apartments) on a self catering basis, with either shared or en-suite bathrooms.
Below is a list of the other universities available at the exhibition and their contact details for students and parents to check out:
18. University of Derby
Kedleston Road, Derby
England
Tel: +44 (0) 1332 591139
Fax: +44 (0) 1332 597749
Email: w.alobeid@derby.ac.uk
Website: www.derby.ac.uk
19. University of Huddersfield
Queensgate, Huddersfield
West Yorkshire England HD1 3DH
Phone: +44 (0)1484 472752
Fax: +44 (0)1484 450408
Website: www.hud.ac.uk
20. Hull University
Cottingham Road
Kingston upon Hull England HU6 7
Phone: +44 (0) 148 246 6904
Fax: +44 (0) 148 246 6554
Website: www.hull.ac.uk
21. University of London Institute of Education
20 Bedford Way, London
London England
22. University of Kent
Canterbury
England CT2 7
Phone: +44 (0)1227 827994
Fax: +44 (0)1227 823247
Website: www.kent.ac.uk
23. Kingston University
53-57 High Street, Kingston upon Thames
KT1 1
Phone: +44(0)20 8547 7267
Fax: +44 (0)20 8547 8028
Website: www.kingston.ac.uk
24. Leeds Metropolitan University
City Campus
Leeds England LS1 3
Phone: +44 (0)113 283 6112
Fax: +44 (0) 113 283 5909
Email: internationaloffice@leedsmet.ac.uk
Website: www.leedsmet.ac.uk
25. University of Leeds
Woodhouse Lane, Leeds
Leeds England LS2 9
Phone: +44 (0)113 3432336
Fax: +44 (0)113 3434056
Website: www.leeds.ac.uk
26. Liverpool John Moores University
Rodney House, 70 Mount Pleasant
Liverpool England L3 5U
Phone: +44 (0)151 231 3522/3172
Fax: +44 (0)151 707 0199
Website: www.livjm.ac.uk
27. London South Bank University
103 Borough Road
London England SE1 O
Phone: +44 (0)20 7815 6189
Fax: +44 (0)20 7815 6199
Website: www.lsbu.ac.uk/
28. Middlesex University
North London Business Park, Oakleigh Road South
London England NW4 4BT
Phone: +44 (0)208 411 6214
Fax: +44 (0)208 411 5650
Email: a.spyrou@mdx.ac.uk
Website: www.mdx.ac.uk
29. Northumbria University
21/22 Ellison Place
Newcastle upon Tyne England NE1 8ST
Phone: +44 (0)191 227 4438
Fax: +44 (0)191 261 1264
Email: susan.cuthbertson@northumbria.ac.uk
Website: www.northumbria.ac.uk
30. University of Portsmouth
Nuffield Centre, St Michael’s Road
Portsmouth England PO1 2
Phone: +44 (0)23 9284 3488
Fax: +44 (0)23 9284 3538
Website: www.port.ac.uk
31. Queen Mary, University of London
Mile End Road
London England E1 4N
Phone: +44 (0)20 7882 3066
Fax: +44 (0)20 7882 5556
Website: www.qmw.ac.uk
32. University of Reading
Geography Building, P. O. Box 227, Reading
England RG6 6
Phone: +44 (0) 118 378 8111
Fax: +44 (0) 118 975 2252
Website: www.rdg.ac.uk
33. Robert Gordon University
Schoolhill
Aberdeen Scotland AB10
Phone: +44 (0)1224 262209
Fax: +44 (0)1224 262202
Website: www.rgu.ac.uk
34. University of Sheffield
8 Palmerston Road
Sheffield England S10 2
Phone: +44 (0)114 222 1255
Fax: +44 (0)114 222 1234
Website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/international
35. University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton England SO17 1BJ
Phone: +44 (0)23 8059 2772
Fax: +44 (0)23 8059 8878
Website: www.soton.ac.uk
36. University of Sussex
Sussex House, Falmer
Brighton and Hove England
37. Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea Wales SA2 8
Phone: +44 (0)1792 295818
Fax: +44 (0)1792 295839
Website: www.swan.ac.uk
38. University of Teesside
Middlesbrough, Tees Valley
TS1 3
Phone: +44 (0)1642 218121
Fax: +44 (0)1642 342964
Website: www.tees.ac.uk
39. University College London
London England
40. University of Liverpool
6 Abercromby Square
Liverpool England L69 7ZX
Phone: +44 (0)151 794 6730
Fax: +44 (0)151 794 6733
Website: www.liv.ac.uk/international
41. University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester England M13 9
Phone: +44 (0) 161 275 2196
Fax: +44 (0) 161 275 2058
Email: gail.derbyshire@manchester.ac.uk
Website: www.manchester.ac.uk
42. University of the West of Scotland
Scotland
43. Bath Academy
44. EF Education First
Manchester England Website: www.ef.com/brittin
45. Cambridge Education Group

Arab Times