Study Group UK Opens World’s Largest Education Facility Exclusively for International Students

Mr Heith Mackay-Cruise (left), The Lord Tomlinson of Walsall & James Pitman (Study Group Managing Director, UK)

Study Group officially opened the Brighton Study Centre today (11.02.08), 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, which was attended by more than 200 guests representing the education sector in the UK and abroad, regional and international business leaders, as well as Study Group staff and students, was a great success. Madam Mayor of Brighton and Hove, The Lord Tomlinson of Walsall and other VIPs were given a tour of the new facility and met with some of the students.

The unveiling of the launch plaque was undertaken by students from Colombia, Nigeria and China, and lead by one of Bellerbys College's star students, now studying at the London School of Economics, who achieved six A grade A Level passes. There followed magnificent cultural and musical acts representing different corners of the globe, which included a Chinese dragon performance and a Kazak folk dance. Adding colour and vitality to the evening these reflected the wonderful multiculturalism of the environment at the Brighton Study Centre.

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

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.”

Lord Tomlinson

The Brighton Study Centre is the world’s largest purpose-built facility for international students. The Centre houses Study Group UK Headquarters, Embassy CES language school and Bellerbys College.

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.

Along with the high quality of education, student accommodation buildings and on-site social and restaurant facilities, the Centre sets a new standard within the international education industry.

• Download official media release (PDF)
• Download images document (MS Word)

• New Centre Image Downloads (login required)

News Homepage >>>