Government agency Study in Wales has launched two campaigns aimed at attracting international students from both Germany and the US.
Directed at German students, a multimedia campaign will run over the next 10 weeks, showcasing the nation’s higher education. Separately, a range of US college advisors and independent education consultants visited the country in May.
It is hoped that the series of 30 second videos shown on TikTok, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram promoting study in Wales will reach over one million people in the Baden-Württemberg region, including prospective undergraduates, postgraduates and parents’ of potential students.
Welsh international education partnership Global Wales previously said that it would focus on Europe as key market.
Tracey Marenghi, marketing and communications manager, Study in Wales, said the two countries “have a long-standing relationship, with our capital city of Cardiff twinned with Stuttgart, and several other towns and cities in Wales twinned with places in Germany”.
Recent figures revealed that there are more than 500 students from Germany enrolled at the country’s eight universities, with Aberystwyth University and University of Wales Trinity Saint David both seeing an increase in the number of German students in the last year.
“German students coming to Wales to study have always received a warm Welsh welcome and we’re keen to ensure this continues,” added Marenghi.
“With some of the most scenic universities and some of the UK’s lowest living costs, by launching this campaign we hope to attract more talented students from Germany to Wales who are looking to enrich their life with an adventure, as well as academia.”
Meanwhile, 29 US college advisors and independent education consultants visited the eight universities during a seven day tour of the UK’s smallest nation.
“Over the last two years, we’ve done so many virtual events and we can talk about how beautiful Wales is, the opportunities here and how much our universities care about their students – but you can’t do it justice,” Robert Alexander, market development manager at Study in Wales, said.
“People need to experience it for themselves,” he added.
Split in to two groups, some visited sporting facilities at Cardiff Metropolitan University and ancient Egyptian artefacts at Swansea University. They then toured Aberystwyth University with student services, before finishing up at University of Wales Trinity St David to celebrate its 200th birthday.
“Here, each student is seen as an individual, rather than just a pay cheque”
Other advisors toured the film school at University of South Wales and visited the new home of journalism at Cardiff University. In the north of the country, the group experienced a flight simulator at Wrexham University and boarded the research vessel at The School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor, which helps train the world’s next generation of marine scientists.
Smiles all round as we end our @wales_global advisor tour at @GlyndwrUni – fantastic end to an awesome week. Thanks for having us! #day5 #studyinwales
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— Study in Wales (@StudyWales) May 13, 2022
“Everyone’s reaction to the trip was very positive and most were surprised by how much students are cared for by our universities,” added Alexander.
“We take student services such as support with health, finances, accommodation and employability, for granted, but that kind of support isn’t available in the US.
“Here in Wales, each student is seen as an individual, rather than just a pay cheque,” he said.
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