1. Current China-UK Collaboration in Education
Summary
UK China bi-lateral education relations are in an excellent state and education co-
operation is a key priority for both countries.
A Framework Agreement between UK and China on Education co-operation was
first signed by both governments in 2000. In 2004 Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and
UK then Prime Minster Tony Blair established a mechanism of annual education
summits. The most recent Education Summit took place in the UK in June 2009.
Current China-UK Collaboration in Education
The UK is regarded at the highest levels as offering esteemed education systems
and service delivered both in the UK and in China. We are respected for:
• quality and quality assurance system;
• world-recognised qualifications;
• a tradition of innovation;
• globalised experience;
• and cutting-edge research, facilities, teaching & learning.
Policy dialogues
Mutual strategic interest in Higher Education including: quality assurance of
research and postgraduate education in China; and higher education leadership and
management. There are a number of on-going bi-lateral collaboration and
partnership links programmes which support these development aims. The China-UK
Education Dialogue series is bringing together UK Vice Chancellors and Chinese
university Vice Presidents and provides opportunities to present current issues and
developments in the UK higher education sector and share experiences with China.
Policy dialogues in skills development and Technical and Vocational Education
and Training facilitates the establishment of regional and international networks
focussed on education reform in the area of skills, enterprise and innovation.
Partnerships
Bi-lateral institution-level co-operation is wide ranging and growing. Examples
include:
• the Scotland-China Higher Education Research Partnership for PhD Studies,
• The University Leadership Development Programme which is building the
capacity of Chinese university leaders through training both in China and the
UK
• the Prime Minister’s Initiative 2 higher education partnerships programme
aims to improve university students’ employability and entrepreneurship skills.
In basic education, the Connecting Classrooms China programme has established
district level education partnerships which allow schools and their teachers and
learners to develop long-term relationships and various joint projects. By September
2009, over 1000 Chinese Head teachers had attended China-based training and over
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2. 330 Chinese heads had been to the UK for training.
Student Mobility
China is now one of the most attractive and important markets for UK institutions,
providing the largest group of international students in the UK. The latest Higher
Education Statistics Agency (HESA) figures show that China remains the country
which sends most students to UK HE institutions with over 50,000 students in 2008-
2009, an increase of 2.8% on the previous year. This is the first positive growth since
2002-2003.
Around 100 scholarships a year are provided to promising young and mid-career
Chinese under the FCO’s Chevening Scholarships scheme.
Trans-National Education (TNE)
The UK has been active in developing course and qualification export opportunities in
China. 50 UK institutions are currently accredited (or awaiting outcome of license
applications) to deliver 105 courses in mainland China. Quality assuring of these
programmes is mutually beneficial. Senior Chinese delegations on Quality Assurance
have been hosted and joint workshops delivered, bringing in 50 partnerships
accredited universities to share best practice
The Universities of Nottingham-Ningbo and Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool, which are the
only two joint venture campuses in China. Nottingham’s Chinese partner is a private
education group, Wanli Education, and Liverpool’s is a well-regarded Chinese public
higher education institute. In addition, there are over two hundred UK-Chinese joint
courses.
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