'UK Education continues to attract the best and brightest! '
赴英的中国学生人数逐年稳步上升，英国教育机构继续向越来越多有志于求学英国的优秀的中国学生敞开大门。
目前有超过 90,000 名中国学生在英国求学，其中有超过70,000 人就读高等教育课程。2011年，英国边境管理局（UKBA）在中国发出了超过50,000 个学生签证，较2010 年增长近20％。这其中包括约95％的就读学位课程的学生。
经过广泛的咨询，英国学生签证体系的改革在2011 年3 月公布。继去年推出两个阶段的变更后，最后一轮的新措施将于2012 年4 月正式生效。这些新措施旨在保护并巩固英国作为世界顶尖的国际留学目的地国家的声誉，同时最大限度地减少对其学生签证体系的滥用。
这种更有选择性的签证政策，其中包括确保只有优质的英国教育机构，才允许担保和招收国际学生，已使中国学生的签证申请质量不断提高。与2009 年相比，申请高等教育课程的人数在2011 年增加了60％，中国学生的签证通过率也从74％提高到96％。目前第四层级学生签证的平均审批时间也只需要5 至10 天——记点积分制（PBS）第四层级学生签证的申请是一个精简、客观和透明的过程，只要学生符合要求，就将发出签证。
英国教育与产业界的紧密联系，提高了学生的职场竞争力。许多国际学生希望毕业后留在英国，获取宝贵的工作经验。虽然毕业后工作签证（第一层级）不再继续，但从2012 年4 月起，留学生毕业后可以通过两种新的途径申请在英国工作。
获得英国认证机构授予的学士及以上学位的毕业生可申请记点积分制第二层级的工作签证。申请人只要获得由英国边境管理局认可的担保机构发出的雇佣通知书，且达到一定的技能水平，即符合申请资格。此外，这一层级签证的申请人数不设上限。
其次，一个新的第一层级毕业生创业者签证计划将于今年启动。申请该签证的学生须由英国大学甄选，并具备优秀创意和创业技能。另外，持有第四层级学生签证的学生，如果在英国的大学、高等教育机构或公立的延续教育学院就读，也可以在课程期间参加实习或兼职工作，获取工作经验。
英国将继续致力于为国际学生提供最佳的教育体验。英格兰高等教育拨款委员会公布的2011年“全国学生调查”显示，超过八成的高校学生对他们就读的课程、教学质量、以及所获得的学术支持表示满意。来自研究生的反馈同样是积极的，根据高等教育学会2011 年针对研究生研究体验的调查，86％的受访者认为他们的研究课程的整体体验达到或超过了他们的期望值。
2012 年正值中英建交40 周年，是具有里程碑意义的一年。英国将一如既往地欢迎中国学生，继续深化两国在教育领域的合作与交流，使更多真正致力学习和创新的年轻人在英国获得最好的学习体验，收获美好未来。
The doors to Britain’s education institutions remain open as more and more top quality Chinese students study in the UK.
There are currently over 90,000 Chinese students studying in the UK, with over 70,000 undertaking higher education courses. In 2011, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) issued over 50,000 student visas in China, an increase of nearly 20 percent compared to 2010with around 95% of adult students destined for degree level courses.
Following extensive consultation, reforms to the UK student visa system were announced in March 2011. The first two tranches of change were introduced last year with the final changes due to come into effect in April 2012. These new measures are designed to protect and build on the global reputation of the UK as one of the top international study destinations in the world, whilst minimising the abuse of the student immigration system.
This more selective approach to visa policy, which includes ensuring only quality educational establishment are allowed to sponsor students, has already seen the quality of student visa applications from China improve. The number applying to higher education courses increased by 60 percent in 2011, compared to 2009. The visa approval rate for students has also increased from 74% to 96%, with the average processing time for a Tier 4 student visa currently at just five to ten days in China.
Applying for a Points Based System (PBS) Tier 4 student visa is a streamlined, objective and transparent process and providing students meet the requirements, a visa will be issued.
With its strong links to industry, UK education provides students with a practical edge over the competition. Many international students wish to stay on in the UK after graduation and gain valuable work experience. Although the Post Study Work Visa (Tier 1) has been discontinued, from April 2012 there are two new options for graduates wanting to work in the UK.
Recent graduates with a degree or above from a UK recognized or listed body may be eligible to apply for a work visa under Tier 2 (General) of the points based system. Applicants must have an offer of a skilled graduate level job from an employer who is a licensed sponsor with the UK Border Agency. Furthermore, there is no limit to the number of visas that will be issued to graduates in this category – any graduate who fulfils the criteria will be eligible.
Secondly, a new visa category for graduate entrepreneurs will be launched under Tier 1 of the points based system. This is aimed at students who have been identified by UK universities as having developed world-class innovative ideas and entrepreneurial skills. Students can also gain experience working alongside their studies if they are studying on a Tier 4 student visa at a UK university, higher education institution or publicly funded further education college.
The UK aims to continue to deliver the best possible education experience to international students. The Higher Education Funding Council for England released the results of the 2011 'National Student Survey' which shows that 8 out of ten higher education students give their courses top marks in the UK.
The feedback from post graduate-students is equally positive, according to the Postgraduate Research Experience Survey conducted by the Higher Education Academy in 2011. 86% of respondents stated that the overall experience of their research programme met or exceeded their expectations.
2012 is a landmark year, representing the 40th anniversary of the restoration of full diplomatic relations between the UK and China. The UK will continue to support innovation and deliver the highest levels of education to all students sincerely committed to learning.
