Every year, the Education UK Exhibition offers students and parents an opportunity to consider a wide range of study options in the UK and in Sri Lanka. The 18th annual Education UK exhibition will be held in February 2011 in Colombo and Kandy, and more than 60 exhibitors from the UK will participate.

Reasons to visit the British Council Exhibition
The Education UK Exhibition organised by the British Council, is the largest British Education exhibition of this kind in Sri Lanka. More than 60 UK institutions participate in this exhibition annually, giving an opportunity for students and parents in Sri Lanka to select the best study option from a wide range of courses and qualifications. UK institutions offer a wide range of courses and provide prospective students an opportunity to choose from a variety of routes through the education and training system, combining different types of courses according to their different needs and abilities.

Many courses can also be taken through distance learning in one's home country. The exhibition also gives students a chance to meet the UK institutions face-to-face to discuss their study options. Students can also attend the variety of subject seminars delivered at the exhibition to obtain comprehensive details about the areas interested in. Seminars conducted this year will cover general topics such as, student visa, scholarships in the UK, living in the UK, and will also touch on subject areas such as Law, Medicine, IT & Computing, Business Studies and Engineering.

Besides the UK exhibitors, students will be able to meet representatives from the UK Border Agency (UKBA), IELTS, awarding bodies of UK qualification providers in Sri Lanka, and some of the successful UK-Sri Lanka educational partner institutions.

Why study in the UK?
The demand for a world-class qualification and the skills required in a modern environment encourage over 8,000 Sri Lankans to leave the island and pursue their higher education in the UK. The courses in the UK are comparatively shorter, which many Sri Lankans see as an opportunity to start earning early.
UK scientists and institutions have won almost 100 Nobel Prizes for their scientific achievements. The UK's creative brains, i.e. artists, fashion designers, film and television stars, and leisure software designers are regarded among the best in the world. Their work is worth £112 billion every year.
What is the most popular overseas study destination for SL students?

UK has been the most popular study destination for Sri Lankan students for the last couple of years. Students can choose from a three year degree programme to a vocational or a professional qualification from the vast array of courses that are on offer.

The application process with UCAS and UKPASS not only makes it easy to apply for more than one institution at once but also saves time. Since students can apply with pending results, they need not waste time waiting for results. The new and improved point-based visa system allows students to know the required eligibility beforehand. The uncomplicated and easy requirements have given many Sri Lankan students the opportunity to study in the UK.

The 'Post study work' scheme allows students to work in the UK for two years after graduation. This scheme helps students add more value to the academic qualification they have already achieved, and helps add to their demand by local employers.

'Get Connected': www.educationuk.org/srilanka
The website 'Get Connected', www.educationuk.org/srilanka, provides comprehensive information about the Education UK Exhibition 2011 and the participating UK institutions. Through the website, students can chat with or e-mail an Education UK officer at any time to receive information about the exhibition, scholarships, student visa etc. Online visitors can also enter their contact details to reserve a place to attend the free subject seminars that will be conducted at the exhibition. Please note that limited seats are available. By registering to the exhibition online, those interested in visiting can also win prizes and obtain a free pass to attend the exhibition on February 19 or 20.

What is the British Council's involvement with the Education UK Exhibition?
The British Council is committed to developing mutually beneficial cultural relations between the UK and Sri Lanka. The Education UK Exhibition is an excellent opportunity for British Council to directly connect Sri Lankan students aspiring to study in the UK with over 60 UK institutes, allowing students to obtain more information and discuss concerns first-hand with the universities.

---List of participants - Education UK Exhibition 2011
Anglia Ruskin University,Aston University,University of Bedfordshire, Birmingham City University, Bradford College, University of Bristol, British Institute of Technology & E Commerce, Brunel University, The University of Buckingham, Cambridge Education Group Ltd, University of Central Lancashire, City of London College, City University, Coventry University, Durham University, Ealing, Hammersmith & West London College, University of East Anglia, University of East London, Edge Hill University, Edinburgh's Telford College, EF International Academy, University of Gloucestershire, University of Greenwich (London), University of Hertfordshire , ICON College of Technology and Management, Keele University, Kings College London, Kingston University London,University of Leeds, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool John Moores University, University of London International Programmes, London Metropolitan University, London South Bank University, Loughborough University , The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Mander Portman Woodward College, Middlesex University, Newcastle University , The University of Northampton, Northumbria University - Newcastle, NCUK, University of Nottingham , University of Portsmouth, Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, Queen Mary, University of London, Roehampton University, London, University of Salford, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Hallam University, University of Southampton, St Patrick's College London, Staffordshire University, University of Surrey, Swansea University, University College Birmingham,UCL - University College London, University of Wales Institute, Cardiff,University of Westminster, University of Worcester, UKBA, IELTS, Association of Chartered Certified Accountants - ACCA, British Computer Society - BCS, Chartered Institute of Management Accountants - CIMA, City & Guilds - C&G, Academy of Design - AOD, Asian Aviation Centre (Pvt) Ltd - AAC, Business Management School , CINEC Maritime Campus, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT)