根据负责发放签证的英国官方机构日前最新公布的数据，申请留学英国的优秀中国学生数量再次打破记录，英国留学继续走俏中国且需求强劲。仅2009年4月到9月，就有32，854个希望到英国留学的中国公民获得了英国边境管理署发放的签证。这一数字比2008年增加了40%，而希望前往英国留学的优秀中国学生的数量仍在逐年增加。
　　2009年3月，英国采用了一种新的签证体系。自那时起，对该体系的不断改善大大提高了留英签证申请对中国学生的透明度和公平性。通过这一体系，学生们可以在提交申请之前就清楚地知道他们的签证申请是否有可能成功。这使得中国的学生签证成功率提高到了92%。
　　此外，今年2月即将公布的旨在使签证体系更加系统高效的进一步措施将为申请流程带来更大的方便和更高的效率。但是，使用假文件，撒谎或者隐瞒相关信息的申请人仍将被拒签，而且被禁止进入英国的时间可能会长达10年。
　　学生签证的急剧增加清楚地表明了中国学生对英国留学的强烈需求。作为全球最重要的学术成就和创新中心，英国的教育因其坚实优秀的学术根基而闻名于世。而与此同时，教育和行业之间的紧密联系也意味着英国教育在学习课程的设置上还非常重视培养和发展学生的主动思考和创业的能力。
　　另外，英国是一个文化多元化的完全国际化的社会。在英国学习，你将直面跨文化交流，并得以发展你的国际视野。这样的经验使学生们具备了放之四海而皆准的技能和知识，充分发挥了每个学生的潜力，为他们的社区经济和社会发展做出贡献。
　　随着越来越多的学生认识到英国教育带来的好处，在中国负责英国教育推广的官员也增加了他们的服务，以帮助中国学生充分地利用他们的机遇。2010年3月7日，留英校友职业发展研讨会将在中国多地同时举行。研讨会旨在帮助留英归国的中国学子更好地了解中国的就业市场，并在他们的求职过程中予以帮助和支持。议题将涵盖就业市场、事业发展规划以及毕业后如何重新定位等内容。
　　英国大使馆文化教育处教育推广总监吴媛媛女士说：“英国留学对于中国学生的价值已变得越来越显著。”
　　“有这样一句格言‘英国教育教会学生如何思考，而不是思考什么”。在当今瞬息万变的世界，具备全球沟通和企业家思维能力的学生是非常受欢迎的。这也正是英国教育所能提供的价值和好处。
　　“英国欢迎国际学生。中国学生不仅学业出众，而且还为学术交流和研究做出了巨大的贡献。”
　　英国边境管理署的国际事务主任 Barbara Woodward （芭芭拉•伍德沃德）说：“英国边境管理署旨在为真正的国际学生提供优良的服务，并将尽力简化和便捷签证的申请过程。
　　“计点积分制签证系统确保只有那些提供优质教育并对学生负责的教育机构才能获得招收外国学生的许可证。
　　“所有的学生申请和被许可的教育机构将会不断受到检查和监督，以确保他们达到计点积分制签证系统所要求的标准。一旦发现任何滥用系统的行为，英国边境管理署将迅速采取行动。”　　
　　UK student visa applications increased 40% in 2009
　　Reflects strong demand and value for UK education among Chinese students
　　A British qualification continues to be in strong demand from record numbers of high quality Chinese students according to new figures released by the UK body responsible for issuing visas.
　　Between April and September 2009, the UK Border Agency issued a record 32,854 visas to Chinese nationals wanting to study in the UK. This represents an increase of 40% on 2008 and continues the year on year growth in the numbers of high quality students from China that want to study in the UK.
　　The UK introduced a new visa system in March 2009 and since then continual improvements to the system have increased transparency and fairness for Chinese students. Students can know clearly in advance if their application is likely to be successful before they apply. This has helped increase the issue rate for student visas in China to 92%.
　　In addition, further measures to streamline the system will be announced in February, bringing greater convenience and efficiency to the application process. However, applicants who use a false document, lie or withhold relevant information will still be refused and may be banned from coming to the UK for 10 years.
　　The sharp increase in student visas provides clear proof of the strong demand for British qualifications among Chinese students. As one of the world’s major centres for academic excellence and innovation, British qualifications are renowned for their strong academic foundations. Yet at the same time, strong links between education and industry mean that courses of study also focus on developing students with strong thinking and entrepreneurship skills.
　　Moreover, as a multicultural and fully international society, study in Britain offers exposure to cross-cultural communications and the development of global perspectives. Such experience equips students with skills and knowledge applicable anywhere in the world, fully realising the potential of every student to contribute to the economic and social benefit of their communities.
　　With more and more students recognising the benefits of a British qualification, British education promotion officials in China are also increasing their services to help Chinese students maximise the opportunities open to them. On 7 March 2010, career development workshops will be held around China examining job prospects for UK alumni in the growing Chinese economy. Covering topics such as the job market, career planning, and re-orientation after graduation, the workshops are one of many support services offered to Chinese students before, during and after studying in the UK.
　　Cultural and Education Section of the British Embassy Director for Education Marketing Jazreel Goh said:
　　 “The value of a British qualification is becoming more and more evident to Chinese students.”
　　“A maxim has it that ‘British education teaches students how to think, not what to think’. In today’s rapidly changing world, graduates with global communications and entrepreneurial thinking skills are highly sought after. This is precisely the value and benefit a British qualification can provide.
　　“The UK welcomes international students And Chinese students are amongst the top academic performers and contribute greatly to scholarly exchange and academic research.”
　　UK Border Agency International Director Barbara Woodward said:
　　"The UK Border Agency aims to offer excellent service and make the process of applying for a visa as straightforward as possible for genuine international students.
　　“The points based system ensures that only those colleges and schools who provide quality education and take responsibility for their students are licensed to bring in foreign students.
　　“All student applications and licensed educational institutions are continually checked and monitored to ensure that they meet the required standards set by the Points Based System. Where any abuse of the system is detected, the UK Border Agency will take swift action.”　

相关阅读：　
    英国签证：记点积分制全面解析》

    2010英国留学调查：商科仍走俏》

    2010英国留学申请变化》