Study Group

Last updated
Study Group
Industry For-profit education
Founded1994;31 years ago (1994)
Headquarters
London
,
United Kingdom
Key people
Ian Crichton (CEO) [1]
Parent Ardian
Website studygroup.com

Study Group is a for-profit education provider that prepares international students for university degree programmes and offers English language courses.

Contents

Study Group's secondary school and UK office in the New England Quarter, Brighton. BrightonStudyCen1.JPG
Study Group's secondary school and UK office in the New England Quarter, Brighton.

Study Group operates International Study Centres with its partner universities across the United Kingdom [2] and Ireland. [3] These Study Centres provide pathway and foundation courses developed with universities focused on preparation for study at undergraduate and postgraduate degree level. [4]

Study Group also supports international students pursuing a global education in North America and Asia, with partner universities in the United States [5] and China. The company also works with over 3000 agents worldwide.

Study Group is led by CEO Ian Crichton. [6] Academic leadership is provided by Provost and Chief Academic Offices Professor Elena Rodriguez-Falcon a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering who was herself an international student. The Study Group Academic Board is chaired by former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Sheffield and eminent physicist Professor Sir Keith Burnett.

History

Previously acquired by businessmen Andrew Colin and Duncan Greenland in 1989, the company dates the origin of Study Group as British Study Group, with centres in Hastings and Brighton, England. A second language school was opened in Hove shortly after. Colin had previously acquired Bellerbys College, a sixth-form college for international students and was later incorporated in 1994 by Colin and Greenland, adding a third shareholder/director John Collyer with the merger.

For its initial offerings in the United Kingdom, Study Group's international students on pathway programmes were taught at an "International Study Centre" in partner university premises before starting their degree courses. As of 2021, it also offers its own online pathway programme. [7]

In 1996, 40% of the business was acquired by the Daily Mail Group, [8] becoming Study Group International. The same year, it expanded to the United States and Australia. [9] [10] In 1999, the Daily Mail Group paid an estimated GB£44 million [11] to take over 100% ownership of Study Group. The company is now known as Study Group.

As part of its expansion to the United Kingdom and Australian operations, Study Group acquired the Center for English Studies (CES) chain of language schools in the United States and Canada, [10] adding Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver to its fold. It was later renamed to Embassy CES, and then Embassy English. In November 2018, Embassy English was acquired by EC.

In 2006 Study Group was acquired by Australian private equity company CHAMP, having been sold by Daily Mail Group for A$176.4 million. [12] [13]

In 2007, the Brighton school and UK head office moved to purpose-built premises in the New England Quarter, next to Brighton station, [14] [15] [16] costing an estimated GB£28 million. [17]

On July 1, 2010, Providence Equity Partners took ownership of Study Group for $660 million Australian dollars. [18]

In February 2019, Ardian, a private investment house, announced that it had acquired a majority stake in Study Group. [19]

In February 2020, Study Group acquired the learning experience platform insendi to help develop its online pathway programme offering. [20]

In 2022, Study Group closed its Brighton-based Bellerbys College, reflecting changing patterns of international student mobility, and in 2024 launched Bellerbys Global to provide Foundation programmes for international students nearer to their home countries. [21]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Sussex</span> University in Brighton and Hove, UK

The University of Sussex is a public research university located in Falmer, East Sussex, England. It lies mostly within the city boundaries of Brighton and Hove. Its large campus site is surrounded by the South Downs National Park, and provides convenient access to central Brighton 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) away. The university received its royal charter in August 1961, the first of the plate glass university generation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Professional Association of Diving Instructors</span> Recreational diver training and certification agency

The Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) is a recreational diving membership and diver training organization founded in 1966 by John Cronin and Ralph Erickson. PADI courses range from entry level to advanced recreational diver certification. Further, they provide several diving skills courses connected with specific equipment or conditions, some diving related informational courses and a range of recreational diving instructor certifications. They also offer various technical diving courses. As of 2020, PADI claims to have issued 28 million scuba certifications. The levels are not specified and may include minor specialisations. Some of the certifications align with WRSTC and ISO standards, and these are recognised worldwide. Some other certification is unique to PADI and has no equivalence anywhere, or may be part of other agencies' standards for certification for more general diving skill levels.

The University of Brighton is a public university based in Brighton on the south coast of England. Its roots can be traced back to 1858 when the Brighton School of Art was opened in the Royal Pavilion. It achieved university status in 1992.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athens University of Economics and Business</span> University in Athens, Greece

Athens University of Economics and Business was founded in 1920 in Athens, Greece and is the oldest university in Greece in the field of economics. Before 1989, the university was known in Greek as the Supreme School of Economics and Business. Though the university of business's official name has changed, it is still known popularly in Greek by this former acronym.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaplan, Inc.</span> International educational services company

Kaplan, Inc. is an international educational services company that provides educational and training services to colleges, universities, businesses and individuals around the world. Founded in 1938 by Stanley Kaplan, the company offers a variety of test preparation, certifications, and student support services. The company is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SAE Institute</span> Private arts college with campuses in various countries

The SAE Institute (SAE) and SAE University College (in Australia), formerly the School of Audio Engineering and the SAE Technology College and badged SAE Creative Media Education, is a network of colleges around the world that provides creative media programmes. Founded in 1976 in Sydney, Australia, by Tom Misner, SAE was purchased in 2012 by Navitas Limited, a private Australian education services company. In 2022 Navitas sold SAE operations in the United Kingdom and mainland Europe to AD Education, part of Ardian a France-based independent private equity investment company. Navitas retained its SAE Creative Media Institute operations in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US alongside its network of licensed education partners operating under the SAE brand in other parts of the world. In 2023, SAE Creative Media Institute in Australia became a University College.

St Clare's is a coeducational private, international day and boarding college in North Oxford, England offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma, a Preparatory IB programme, English language courses, University Pathways, Gap Year study and IB teacher training workshops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jönköping University</span> Swedish university college

Jönköping University (JU), formerly Högskolan i Jönköping, is a private Swedish university college located in Jönköping, Sweden. The college has approximately 832 employees and 10,992 students.

ICS London is a co-educational World International Baccalaureate School located in Marylebone, London, teaching students aged from three to 18 years old.

ATG Entertainment, formerly The Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), is a major international live entertainment organisation headquartered in the United Kingdom, with offices in Woking, London, New York, Sydney, Mannheim and Cologne. ATG's key operations comprise three inter-related activities: venue ownership and management, ticketing and marketing operations, and show productions.

Platinum Equity, LLC is an American private equity investment firm founded by Tom Gores in 1995, headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. The firm focuses on leveraged buyout investments of established companies in the U.S., Europe and Asia.

NCUK is an organisation that provides qualifications for international students wanting to enter leading universities. The organisation's main office is located in Manchester, UK, with key staff members located in Asian regions, including China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silverfleet Capital</span>

Silverfleet Capital is a regionally focused European mid-market private equity firm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellerbys College</span> Independent school in United Kingdom

Bellerbys College was a series of two private international co-educational boarding schools based in the UK, owned by Study Group. It offered students subject pathway courses. Its colleges closed in September 2022.

Kaplan International is a division of education company Kaplan Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Graham Holdings Company, formerly known as The Washington Post Company. Kaplan International is headquartered in London and consists of a number of global education businesses including Kaplan International Pathways and Kaplan International Languages. Kaplan International Pathways has partnerships with over 40 universities worldwide and prepares 20,000 international students for university each year. Kaplan International Languages provides English courses, as well as French and German courses after acquiring Alpadia Language Schools in 2019, and it offers a wide range of courses at locations in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Switzerland and Spain. As a result of government-imposed travel restrictions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, Kaplan International's revenue fell 13% in 2020 to US$654 million, although still accounted for half of Kaplan Inc.’s total revenue in that year.

A foundation programme, foundation program, foundation year, foundation year programme or foundation year program is a one-year introductory course to a full multi-year degree curriculum offered by many universities in the Commonwealth and elsewhere. These programmes may be intended for students not yet in a degree program or may form part of a specific degree course. Some programmes are designed specifically for either domestic or international students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ACG Education</span> New Zealand-based education company

ACG Schools is a New Zealand–based private education company that operates schools and preschools in New Zealand and Asia. Incorporated as a New Zealand Limited Liability Company in 1994 it established its first school in 1994; and now ACG Schools delivers education to over 4,700 students in three countries through its 10 campuses located in 4 cities. It is New Zealand's largest independent private schools group. It was acquired by Inspired Education Group in 2019 for an undisclosed sum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ardian (company)</span> Private equity investment company

Ardian is a France-based, independent private equity investment company, founded and managed by Dominique Senequier. It is one of the largest European-headquartered private equity funds. The company was originally set up by Dominique Senequier in 1996 as the AXA Group's private equity division, but later gained independence in 2013, and rebranded itself as Ardian. The name Ardian (ar・di・an) was inspired by an ancient European language in which 'hardjan' mean strength, durability, and boldness. Ardian manages assets worth US$150 billion in Europe, North America and Asia, and has fifteen offices. The firm offers a funds of funds, direct funds, infrastructure, private debt and real estate, and manages a direct portfolio of more than 150 companies. Its fund of funds segments owns stakes in over 1500 funds. Ardian's 880 investors include institutional investors, funds of funds, government agencies, sovereign funds, family offices, pension funds and insurance companies). The firm has been ranked one of the largest companies by amount raised in equity by Private Equity International, and was named "Company of the Year" 2013 by the readers of Private Equity International.

Majan University College in Muscat, Oman, is an accredited College of the University of Bedfordshire, UK, and is supervised by the Sultanate of Oman's Ministry of Higher Education, Innovation & Research.

References

  1. ↑ "Study Group: Ian Crichton and Steve Pinches". The PIE News. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Study Group UK partners". Study Group. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  3. ↑ "Study Group Ireland partners". Study Group. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  4. ↑ "About Study Group". Study Group. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  5. ↑ "Study Group UK North American partners". Study Group. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  6. ↑ "Study Group CEO". Study Group. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
  7. ↑ "Online Pathway Programmes". Study Group. Retrieved 2022-08-31.
  8. ↑ Daily Mail Group Press release Archived 2008-10-11 at the Wayback Machine Preliminary unaudited consolidated results from Thursday 10 December 1998; mentions Study Group becoming a subsidiary.
  9. ↑ Another Daily Mail Group press release Preliminary unaudited consolidated results from Thursday 11 December 1997; mentions expansion into US and Australia.
  10. 1 2 Special Report: The Evolution of ELC from Language Travel Magazine. See paragraph headed 'Study Group' for details of acquisition strategy.
  11. ↑ Language Travel Magazine Special Report: Industry Entrepreneurs, June 2007, paragraph titled 'Alternative angles and corporate investment'
  12. ↑ Champ website - portfolio page Archived 2008-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ Press release Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine from international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, advisors on the sale.
  14. ↑ Embassy website Brighton location Embassy Brighton
  15. ↑ Study Group.com corporate website Archived 2007-10-08 at the Wayback Machine New Brighton Study Centre Ahead of Schedule.
  16. ↑ New England Quarter official site Archived 2007-10-06 at the Wayback Machine Short description of the Quarter's commercial uses.
  17. ↑ Language Travel Magazine New Buildings for British ELT
  18. ↑ "Providence Buys Australia's Study Group". DealBook - The New York Times. July 1, 2010.
  19. ↑ Dorbian, Iris (21 February 2019). "Ardian to buy Study Group from Providence Equity" . PE Hub.
  20. ↑ Kennedy, Kerrie (13 February 2020). "Study Group acquires edtech platform, Insendi". The PIE News.
  21. ↑ "Bellerbys International". Study Group. Retrieved 2024-07-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.