Brexit could benefit students

Chinese students planning to study in Britain may gain some short-term benefits as a result of the country voting to leave the EU, specialists say.

Liu Fengjie, director of the UK division of Chivast Education International, a company in Beijing that helps Chinese to study overseas, says students may find it cheaper to study in Britain and easier to work there after Brexit.

"Some people from EU member countries may also leave the UK and their jobs there, which may provide opportunities for Chinese students seeking work," Liu says.

Britain had more than 450,000 overseas students last year, with 130,000 from China, according to official data.

He Chugang, a manager at Amber Education, an overseas studies consultancy, agrees with Liu that the cost of studying in Britain will be lower.

He says he was surprised by the high turnout for the June 23 referendum, as many features of the UK, including its economy and culture, are closely connected with the EU.

"Leaving the EU is of no benefit for the country," He says. "Further effects on international education remain to be seen."

(China Daily Africa Weekly 07/02/2016 page9)