Global Student Stories – 27 February 2016

Did you know that Berlin is the best university city for British students in Europe? Sarah Morland did as she takes on this week’s Global Student Stories!

Germany: Berlin ranks top university city for British studying in Europe

New research has ranked Berlin as the top European university city for UK students, closely followed by Paris.

The study compared European cities by cost of living, tuition fees, quality of English-language courses, culture, nightlife, safety, international student community and practicality in terms of travelling home.

Berlin scored highly for its efficient transport system, exciting nightlife and affordable accommodation, while its free tuition for students from EU member states was a significant factor as well.

Despite British universities being ranked amongst the most expensive in the world, the research concluded that nearly two thirds of UK students would not consider studying abroad.

Students cited the difficulties of leaving family and friends, the international language barrier and lack of knowledge about English-taught courses in European universities.

Following UCAS’s announcement last year that it would include European universities in their system provided they meet UK standards, it is predicted that with an easier application process, many students will choose to study in more affordable European cities.

Berlin and Paris were followed by Copenhagen, Brussels, Amsterdam, Vienna, Stockholm and Madrid, which also scored highly for culture and quality of life.

India: Arrests continue following Delhi student protests

Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya, wanted on charges of sedition, surrendered to the police on Tuesday night following a demonstration branded ‘anti-Indian’ by the national authorities.

The earlier arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, students’ union president at Delhi’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), sparked nationwide rallies and clashes with supporters of India’s ruling Hindu nationalist party, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Mr Kumar and nearby reporters were physically attacked outside court by a group of lawyers and pro-BJP supporters who condemned the JNU protesters as unpatriotic.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been accused of repressing freedom of speech through colonial-era sedition laws, abuse of nationalism and legal tyranny.

The university responded in defence of its politically-active reputation: “Isn’t it unfair to brand the university as anti-national which has stood as an epitome of academic and democratic culture? Why tarnish its image by calling it a home to anti-nationals?”

Three other students wanted by the police have stated that they do not plan to surrender themselves.

South Africa: Black protesters beaten at varsity rugby match

A group of black protesters were beaten by hundreds of primarily white spectators in a racially-charged violent outbreak during a rugby match at the University of the Free State on Monday afternoon.

Workers from the Bloemfontein city campus interrupted the match with Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University at the 17th minute to demand the end of outsourcing at the university.

Video footage shows the players leaving the field and hundreds of white spectators descending on the protesters in violent assault.

The university has temporarily suspended classes and condemned “in the strongest terms possible the violence against the protesters; nobody has the right to take the law into their own hands.”

The University of Pretoria has also suspended teaching following a violent clash between white and black students during a campaign to end the use of Afrikaans in university instruction.

The university has accused political parties of stirring the unrest and “using the current situation as an opportunity to play out their political differences on our campuses.”

Spain: Valencia to increase grants for university students

The Generalitat of Valencia has announced plans to raise grants to 600 euros per month for students unable to cover the costs of study, beginning in the next academic year.

The grants aim to support students coming from low-income families along with those facing financial difficulties in completing their university degrees. Specific bursaries encourage students to develop their linguistic and long-distance education through Erasmus programmes.

The Consell’s bid to improve educational equality also established their aim of improving gender balance in the professional world.

The project has a total funding of 5 million euros and sets the income threshold at 18,000 euros for a family of 4. The grants are estimated to benefit up to a thousand students, increasing the Generalitat student aid program by 40% from last year and creating 4 new scholarships.

Education minister Vicent Marzà Ibáñez said the scheme aims to ensure equal opportunities, “so that no student is left without access to Valencian universities for financial reasons.”