Source: Aleksandar Mijatovic

The London Universities International Partnership has calculated that its 17 members award Indian students nearly ?2.5 million in scholarships each year.

It has also surveyed Indian students and alumni who studied in the capital, and found that 85 per cent said that higher education in London widened their horizons and allowed them a greater choice of careers.

More than 70 per cent said that studying in London was ¡°well worth the investment¡±, according to the partnership.

The push by London universities comes after the first fall on record in the number of international students studying in the UK in 2012-13.

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There was a 25 per cent drop in Indian first-year students starting courses in 2012-13, which followed a 32 per cent fall the previous year.

Some have blamed a tougher student visa system introduced by the coalition government since 2010, and the scrapping in 2012 of the post-study work visa, which gave international students the automatic right to work after graduation for two years.

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The partnership¡¯s campaign is backed by Lord Swraj Paul, an Indian-born industrialist and chancellor of the University of Westminster.

¡°London is one of the best cities in the world to study. London and India have great cultural and business ties and it is testament to the strength of the relationship that London universities offer so many scholarships to students from India,¡± he said.

¡°A London education can be a great investment in a young person¡¯s future and I believe it really enhances the chances of succeeding in your career.¡±

david.matthews@tsleducation.com