Peppa Pig and Mr Bean among icons of British culture driving international students to study in UK, survey finds
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By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR
Published: | Updated:
Peppa Pig and Mr Bean are among the 'icons' of British culture driving international students to study in the UK, a survey has found.
The poll of 2,500 UK-based students from five countries found 59 per cent said fictional British characters were a strong influence on their decision to choose a UK university while some 83 per cent said British culture played an important part of deciding where to study abroad.
Among those influenced by fictional British characters, 19 per cent said animated character Peppa Pig had swayed them, while 21 per cent chose Mr Bean.
The most popular choice was Harry Potter, influencing 22 per cent of respondents, while 21 per cent chose James Bond.
The research, carried out by Censuswide for the British Council, surveyed 500 students aged between 18 and 25 from each of the top five countries sending students to the UK – the US, China, India, Pakistan and Nigeria.
More than three in five (62 per cent) said British music was a major or strong influence on their decision to study in the UK.
Among the students who said they were influenced by music from the UK, Ed Sheeran was mentioned the most, by 18 per cent, followed by Dua Lipa, Coldplay and Harry Styles.
Nearly three in five (58 per cent) of all the students surveyed said British cultural icons were a strong or major influence on their decision to study in the UK.
Peppa Pig (pictured) and Mr Bean are among the 'icons' of British culture driving international students to study in the UK, a survey has found.
The poll of 2,500 UK-based students from five countries found 59 per cent said fictional British characters were a strong influence on their decision to choose a UK university. Pictured: Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean
The most popular was Queen Elizabeth II, cited by 18 per cent of those respondents, followed by Princess Diana, Sir David Beckham and King Charles III.
Catriona McCarthy, the British Council's interim director for education, said: 'The UK is renowned for our world-class degree programmes and global reputation of our higher education institutions.
'It is clear from this survey, however, that UK culture is also a huge draw for international students.
'At a time of increased competition, it is crucial that the UK does everything it can to maintain its position as a global leader in higher education, drawing on all aspects of our higher education proposition and a culturally vibrant UK in order to attract the best students from around the world.'
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