7 October 2008 (Dubai, UAE): UAE-based students considering studying for a UK qualification can look forward to a valuable opportunity to meet many of the leading UK institutions at the British Council's annual Education UK Exhibition (EDUKEX) 19-21 October.  EDUKEX 2008 will showcase courses and scholarships from more than 50 UK universities and colleges, including some programmes on offer both in the UK and in the UAE, in recognition of the preference for some students to stay in the UAE whilst studying for UK qualifications.  This year's Abu Dhabi EDUKEX takes place alongside the NAJAH Education Training Careers exhibition before moving on to Dubai.

EDUKEX 2008 enables students and parents to talk directly to some of the foremost institutions from the UK and ask questions about everything from course content and selection, entry requirements, tuition and living costs, accommodation options and extra curricular activities, to advice on living in the UK and applying for a visa. Entry to EDUKEX is free of charge to all visitors.

Alison Devine, British Council Regional Manager Education UK Middle East, explains: "EDUKEX 2008 offers the perfect opportunity to speak to a large number of prestigious UK universities and colleges and compare what's on offer, from academic and vocational programmes to English language courses and A levels - all with the guarantee of quality that comes with selecting a UK educational institution.  In fact, there are more than 13,000 students from the Middle East currently studying Further and Higher Education in the UK, in addition to a large number of students studying English Language courses.  It continues to be an increasingly popular destination with students in the region.

"The participating institutions are offering over 50 scholarships for international students and we also have 11 UK institutions exhibiting for the first time at EDUKEX.  This year's exhibition in Abu Dhabi sits alongside the complementary NAJAH education event, which focuses on training and careers and which is an exciting new dimension for visitors to EDUKEX."

The British Council is also offering advice to students to help them prepare for the exhibition and gain the most value from the meetings they have with institutions at EDUKEX 2008: "In order to get the most out of the event, we want students to carefully consider their priorities, such as what course they would like to study, the entry requirements for that course, and the final qualification they would like to obtain," adds Tim Carnley, Education UK Promotion Manager.

"When selecting an institution, students should consider the location in the UK, any extra-curricular activities on offer and the level of support the institution is able to provide international students, which in the UK is usually very high. Effective preparation pays off and means that students visiting EDUKEX will be able to make the most of this valuable opportunity and obtain the right information, quickly," he concludes.

For ideas on what questions you might ask a UK institution, visit www.educationuk.org/me

EDUKEX 2008 - UAE schedule

Abu Dhabi: 19th October

Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, Halls 2, 3 and 4

10:00 - 19:00

Dubai: 20th- 21st October

Al Bustan Rotana Hotel, Grand Rashidiya Ballroom

17.00 - 21.00

Entrance to the exhibitions is free of charge. Full information can be found at

www.educationuk.org/me

www.britishcouncil.org/me

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About the British Council
The British Council works in 110 countries worldwide to build engagement and trust for the UK through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people worldwide. We do this through work in the arts, education and training, science and technology, sport, good governance and human rights. We are a non-political organisation, registered as a charity in the England and Scotland, which operates at arm's length from government. For more information, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org

In the UAE, the British Council has centres in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah. We actively engage with the UAE community and the authorities through our work in education, English language teaching, professional development and teacher training programmes, and the administering of academic and professional examinations. We also help connect young people in the UAE with those in the UK via projects covering the Arts, education and science, in cooperation with local and UK organisations.

For further information, contact:
Jonathan Walsh/Beibars Abdi
Tel: + 971 50 4588610
jon@wprme.com

© Press Release 2008