The British Council is delighted to invite UK institutions to nominate their top students and graduates to participate in the Study UK Showcase 2018 from 18 to 21 October 2018 in Shanghai, China. This showcase will feature as part of the Best of British exhibition, a major event celebrating British lifestyle, innovation and excellence, which is expected to attract 25,000 visitors, including industry buyers, the public, and substantial media interest. This is a great opportunity for UK institutions to raise the profile of their educational offering, research activity, and student outcomes among a large Chinese audience. It also offers a great platform for UK alumni to present their achievements and build up their personal brands among relevant industry influencers.

Event Introduction

Study UK Showcase 2018 will be an exciting, informative and interactive event featuring a wide range of exhibits provided by UK alumni and academics. Exhibits will focus on the categories of STEM and

Arts & Design, but are not limited to these two categories, and will showcase the work of current students, graduates, and UK higher education institutions. In addition, the showcase will provide participating UK institutions with a platform to engage directly with prospective students and build links with potential industry partners.

Study UK Showcase 2018 is held following the success of the GREAT Creator: UK Graduate Show 2015 and the Study UK Showcase 2017. The previous two exhibitions attracted a combined total of nearly 80,000 visitors and more than 1,500,000 online visitors and generated more than 600 media reports with a media reach of more than 20 million. 

The Study UK Showcase will be part of the Best of British exhibition, which will be joined and supported by the British Council, the British Consulate-General in Shanghai, UK Department for International Trade, and Visit Britain. The event will feature more than 150 leading UK retail and consumer brands, and attract VIPs from home and abroad, including senior government representatives.

Showcase Categories

• STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics)
• Art & Design (including fashion, illustration, jeweler design, product design, film, and visual arts)
• Others (any innovative and creative exhibits)

Benefits for UK Institutions

• Direct involvement in one of the largest British themed events of the year in Shanghai, which is expected to attract at least 25,000 visitors throughout the four-day exhibition.
• Visitors will mostly be industry practitioners, buyers and also high-value Chinese individuals who are interested in understanding UK culture, education, lifestyle, fashion, and technology – a priority group for UK higher education institutions in China.
• Extensive exposure to local and national media in China, with exhibits and participating institutions featured in promotional activity, including on a range of social media platforms.
• Opportunity to raise their profile among a large audience of young people and their families.
• Opportunity to raise awareness of their educational offering at a key stage in the decision-making process for study abroad.
• Platform to showcase their institutional achievements and student outcomes.

Event Details

Schedule

• Day 1 (18 October 2018) – launch reception for key stakeholders with exclusive media session
• Days 2(19 October 2018) – Trade day
• Days 3-4 (20-21 October 2018) – exhibition open to the general public

Venue

Shanghai Exhibition Centre – a major landmark in central Shanghai

How to participate?

1. Showcase (Free of charge)

UK higher education institutions are invited to nominate their top graduates and students in subject areas relating to the exhibit categories to showcase their creative projects, designs and entrepreneurial ideas.

There are no specific criteria for how exhibits should be presented. Exhibits will be selected based on their visual impact, degree of innovation, and potential for visitor interaction and learning. The British Council reserves the right to reject exhibits if they are deemed to be unsuitable.

What is the cost?

UK institutions will be provided with an exhibition space free of charge. The British Council will discuss display requirements and details with all institutions who have exhibits selected.

Please note, participating institutions will need to cover transportation and insurance costs for their selected exhibits.

How to apply?

Please complete the Application Form 1 and submit it to ies.china@britishcouncil.org.cn by 21 August 2018.

2. Workshops or Master classes (Free of charge)

Institutions are also invited to submit proposals for interactive workshops or master classes delivered by their leading academics. The British Council has reserved the exhibition hall’s central T-stage for 30 minute sessions on Day 1, Day 3 and Day 4 for interactive UK education workshops and master classes.

There are no specific requirements on how the sessions should be presented. Academics will be selected based on the themes and interactivity of the sessions. Since the T-Stage is an open area, maintaining audience’s interest throughout the session is very important. The British Council reserves the right to reject proposals if they are deemed to be unsuitable.

What is the cost?

Each selected UK institution will be offered one session free of charge.

Please note, participating institutions will need to cover the relevant cost for staff travel, accommodation, prop transportation and set up (if required).

How to apply?

Please complete Application Form 2 and submit it to ies.china@britishcouncil.org.cn by 21 August.

3. University Cafe (Chargeable service open on days 2,3 and 4 of the Showcase)

Interested institutions can book a table at a dedicated UK education counselling zone and engage directly with prospective students and parents. The University Cafe will take up to six institutions.

What is the cost?

The British Council will charge a participation fee of £800 (excluding VAT) per table.  The participation fee will cover promotion, coordination, production of the cafe, briefings and logistical support during the event.

The participation fee will not cover international or domestic travel, accommodation, subsistence or freight for exhibitors. 

This is subject to availability and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Please note the University Cafe requires a minimum of three UK universities in order to open.