Event: A Competitive Edge: Value of an international degree
Date: 24 February 2012
Venue: Dupont Circle Hotel

The British Council USA cohosted a panel discussion and breakfast with NAFSA: Association of International Educators to discuss the findings of a report we commissioned with Ipsos Public Affairs, "US Employer Perceptions of University Degrees Earned in the United Kingdom."

Dr Clifford Young, Managing Director, Public Sector Practice at Ipsos Public Affairs, presented the study's findings to an audience of higher education professionals and policy analysts. Dr. Young was joined by three panelists who reflected on the implications of the research for universities, students and employers:

• Sarah Smart, Hilton Worldwide
• Betty Soppelsa, Deputy Executive Director for Conference Planning, NAFSA
• Prof. Peter Fidler, Vice Chancellor, University of Sunderland

The research found that most employers consider degrees from the UK to be equal to or better than those earned in the US, but these same employers are not very knowledgeable of the UK education sector as a whole.  Hiring managers are interested in ‘soft skills’ earned

Key Findings:

• Over 70% of employers in the United States (US) and Canada consider degrees earned in the United Kingdom (UK) to be equal or better to those earned in North America.
• Employers are seeking candidates who have received a quality education, and they perceive this to be characteristic of Americans and Canadians who have studied at universities in the UK.
• While most employers are favorable towards UK degrees, they are not very knowledgeable about the UK higher education sector as a whole.
• Much of the positive response can be explained by the “halo effect” cast by the UK’s top universities