The EducationUK Counsellor Mission is a familiarisation trip for 20 to 30 (max) counselling professionals from the Independent Education Consultants Association (IECA) from USA and Canada. The programme will showcase the UK’s excellent practices in teaching and learning while familiarising participants on the undergraduate model of education. Through this programme, the British Council will create more opportunities for UK higher education institutions to engage counselling professionals. IECA's required qualifications include: a master's degree; at least three years of admissions counselling experience; experience working with scores of students and extensive campus visits. 

IECA members who have attended the British Council’s pre-conference session on the UK system will receive priority on this tour.  This means that most participants will have above average knowledge of the UK sector and application process.

Associations:
Independent Education Consultants Association

Programme:
This programme will be anchored by activity in London and the South West with opportunities for non-host institutions to meet and engage our attendees. 

Intended cities:
London, Bath, Bristol, Bournemouth, Cornwall, Exeter and Plymouth

Date: Monday, 24 August 2015
Location: London
Activity:
10:00 – 15:00 Introduction to UK Higher Education & Networking lunch with 15 UK HEIs 
Opportunity: BC facilitated programme

Date:Tuesday, 25 August 2015
Activity:
10:00 – 12:00 University visit
14:00 – 16:00 University visit
Opportunity: University facilitated programmes

Date: Wednesday, 26 August 2015
Activity:
10:00 – 12:00 University visit
14:00 – 16:00 University visit
Opportunity: University facilitated programmes

Date: Thursday, 27 August 2015
Activity:
10:00 – 12:00 University visit
14:00 – 16:00 University visit
Opportunity: University facilitated programmes

Date: Friday, 28 August 2015
Activity:
10:00 – 12:00 University visit
14:00 – 16:00 University visit
Opportunity: University facilitated programmes

How can you participate?
The British Council is seeking eight universities to host the 20+ delegates through engaging visits that showcase UK best practice in teaching and learning at the undergraduate level with an emphasis on:

• ‘World Class’ teaching, facilities and academics
• Student support, development, experience and employability
• Linking institutional practice to national practice, i.e. showcasing British education
• Showcasing best practices in one of these disciplines:
  -Science, technology, engineering and mathematics
  -Professional education (medicine, veterinary sciences, dentistry, law)
  -Social sciences and humanities
  -Performing Arts, Visual Arts, Media and Design
  -Business Education

A strong bid will:

• Cite specific practices being showcased and will avoid being a generic overview of the institution
• Showcase the strength of your institutions facilities, including where relevant tours
• Present views from multiple colleagues involving a range of presentation and engagement methods (i.e. not exclusively PowerPoint)
• Be able to connect best practices with national trends or practices
• Be within reasonable travel distance for a half day programme anchored by accommodation points in London and the South West.
• Provide catering (breakfast or lunch) and other in-kind assistance.

Other considerations:

• Joint bids will be considered favourably.
• Institutions will be selected to ensure a range of institution types and practices are showcased.
• Trip logistics.

Fee:

• £2,165 (exc. VAT) for each host university institution (8 max)
• £250 (exc. VAT) for each networking lunch institution (15 max)
• Each IECA member will pay a participatory fee (£750) and cover the cost of their flight and accommodation.
• Principle funding for this programme has been provided by the GREAT campaign.