§ Lord Harrisonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What they are doing to help young people in European Union applicant countries to attend European Union studies courses, under the European Commission Jean Monnet project; and how they can help the Commission meet the demand for these courses. [HL1651]
§ Baroness Ashton of UphollandApplications under the Jean Monnet programme are made directly to the institutions offering the courses, and there is no UK intermediary or agency involved in the process. The British Council actively encourages students in the accession countries to take up all opportunities of attending UK universities, including those offered under the Jean Monnet programme. The Government and the British Council have also introduced a package of changes to support the Prime Minister's initiative to attract international students to the UK. This includes increasing the number of places on the Chevening Scholarship Programme, which enables international students world-wide to study in the UK, easing restrictions on international students taking paid employment and simplifying visa arrangements. The Government also support and encourage student mobility through the Erasmus action of Socrates, which is open to the accession countries.