MBA continues to be the most sought after course in U.K.

[sajiv]

CHENNAI: When it comes to education in the United Kingdom, MBA continues to be the most popular course, according to representatives from universities participating in the 'Education U.K.' exhibition.

The two-day exhibition, organised by the British Council, was inaugurated here on Wednesday.

MBA, engineering, biotechnology, law, accounting and finance and IT are among the popular options, said Nick Croft, senior international recruitment officer, University of Lincoln.

With a weaker pound, education in the U.K. would become less expensive, said Mr. Croft. The slowdown could also prompt students to study with the hope that the economy could have made a comeback after they finished the studies, he said.

M. Vignesh, an engineering student, was scouting for a college to do his MBA. "It depends on your interest," he said, explaining his choice considering the economic climate. He said though ample information was available on the internet, it was better to speak to university officials in person about various courses.

Mr. Croft said as of now, educational institutions in the UK had not seen any impact of the slowdown. Scholarships, too, were unaffected.

The number of students going to the UK was growing year-on-year, said Mr. Croft. For educational institutions in the UK, "India is the second largest market after China."

The competition for biotechnology was "quite intense," said M. Lubaina, an engineering student who had come from Vellore to Chennai for the exhibition. Though she is not applying immediately, she is scouring for information to help her make the choice. Michael Green, senior international officer, the University of Leicester, said students should apply early and should not wait till the last minute. A delay might cause unnecessary tension in taking care of bank loans, visa and other preparations. More than 58 UK institutions, with more than 100 representatives, are participating in the exhibition, said L. Dhanasekaran, head, Education UK, South India. "Within one hour of opening, more than 1,000 students came in."

The exhibition is on at Taj Coramandel, Nungambakkam, till February 11. There is no entrance fee. For more information, visit www.educationuk-in.org.