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2020 has obviously been a difficult and worrying year for all of us involved in international education and our hearts go out to any of our colleagues who are struggling in the current circumstances. The vaccines provide some light at the end of the tunnel and their roll out will surely begin to restore confidence in international travel and study.
The Directors and all the team at Bristol International College wish you a safe, peaceful Christmas and share hopes of better times ahead in 2021.
We continue to update you on relevant issues from the world of international education and the latest update on the impact of COVID-19 on our provision of courses both in Bristol and online.
International students are massively important for the future of the UK
This was the key message from Sir Steve Smith, the UK’s appointed International Education Champion, speaking at a virtual event for international students enrolled with UK institutions as part of UKCISA Fest.
Confirming the shift in policy since the UK government stopped post-study work rights in 2011 he said, “I think we all realised that we didn’t send out the right signals when we were restricting international immigration to come to university. The government did listen, did realise that they needed to change and did change.” Sir Steve emphasised the need to make things easier for international students to study and work in the UK. “Not only am I here to promote international education, I’m also here to remove obstacles that make the experience of international students difficult.”
This is of course great news for any students thinking of studying the University of London’s International Foundation Programme with Bristol International College as a fasttrack pathway to joining a top UK university in 2022.
Bristol University to help students get home for Christmas
The University of Bristol will reimburse the cost of coronavirus tests for international and studyabroad students who need to be tested before going home for Christmas. A negative test result is required in order to cross many international borders and as NHS tests do not provide documentary evidence of results, students travelling home for Christmas will need to use a private test provider. The University says students can reclaim the cost of a private test to enable them to travel home overseas.
It comes as the University has finished its mass testing programme for all students wanting to travel home in the Government’s student travel window. The University opened two mass testing centres in an attempt to reduce the risk of students spreading COVID to their families when they go home for Christmas.
Coronavirus cases in Bristol are falling and in a review of the new tier system, Bristol has been moved down from Tier 3 to Tier 2.
What’s special about Bristol?
Christmas Steps
The Christmas Steps area attracts many visitors with its long history, medieval architecture and interesting shops, including a famous fish and chips shop at the bottom of the steps. At one time, before the steps were built in 1669, barrels were rolled down the very steep hill to be loaded onto the waiting ships on the river side. Now home to the Christmas Steps Arts Quarter, the area is full of art galleries, pottery studios and other creative talent. Many of the buildings also provide popular university student accommodation.
Philip Hallworth
Operations Director
Bristol International College
After studying for a degree in Geography at Cambridge University and a Masters in Education at Bristol University, I spent 35 years as a teacher and Director of Admissions in independent secondary schools in the UK. I ‘semi-retired’ in 2012 to set up my own educational consultancy business, offering advice and support to students, parents, schools
and corporate institutions. Being based in Bristol I am currently enjoying working with Bristol International College. From 2016-18 I lived in Lahore, working as Director of Education for a company running nearly 200 private schools across Pakistan where I was responsible for KG-A Level curriculum development, the quality of teaching and learning, internal assessment and examinations, teacher training and school improvement. I was previously a senior examiner for AQA A-level and part-time Director of Development for a tutorial college in Oxford. I spend part of the year at our home in Portugal and also like to find time to read, write, perform on stage and attempt to improve my golf!
• BIC is a University of London Recognised Teaching Centre which runs an on-campus and online version of UOL’s International Foundation Programme (IFP)
• IFP is an intensive 8-month programme for students aged 16-17 who wish to access leading universities in just one academic year
• IFP courses include: Mathematics & Statistics, Pure Mathematics, Business Management, Economics, Accounting & Finance, International Relations, Law
• 100% university progression for IFP graduates: 60% Russell Group; 30% University of London; 10% top international universities
• The on-campus BIC IFP includes an exclusive full-time 8-week professional internship in a leading Bristol based company e.g. Rolls Royce, Airbus, KPMG, BBC Bristol, Banco Santander, etc.
I would be delighted to meet you, either in person or via the Internet, so that I can introduce you to the huge range of opportunities that Bristol International College can provide.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch,
John
john.milne@bristolinternational.college
John Milne
CEO & Principal