BEI is a Management Development Programme for undergraduate students offered and funded by the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland and delivered by the British Council. The following short “history” explains the origins of this challenging International programme which annually offers 100 study places in America.

The proposal for the formation of the Business Education Initiative (BEI) came from discussions in 1993 within the Inter-church Committee on Northern Ireland – a group of Protestant and Catholic Church Officials, who considered the potential benefits and positive outcomes that students from Northern Ireland could gain through a year of study at an American College or University. It was envisaged that students, studying business-related classes during their year in America would eventually bring this knowledge and international experience back to the Northern Ireland economy and in doing so encourage a culture where the old historic divisions are set aside.

The Training & Employment Agency in Northern Ireland (the work of which is now integrated within the Northern Ireland Department for Employment and Learning) enthusiastically supported the idea, recognizing the significant impacts the programme could potentially have.  BEI was designed and piloted in the 1994/95 academic year when 19 students left to study in eleven US Presbyterian related Colleges and Universities.  In the following years, partnership was developed with other American colleges and universities affiliated with the Catholic, Presbyterian, United Methodist, and Episcopal churches in the United States.  The programme received the endorsement of President Bill Clinton and has enjoyed backing in both London and Washington, and has grown and evolved to its present stage, offering places to around 100 students in colleges and universities right across the USA.

US colleges and universities as key partners waive all tuition fees for the students, while DEL pays for most other costs relating to the students academic year in America.  The staff of the BEI team, located in Belfast, administers the program, which includes selection and placing of the students, providing support services, and financial management.  Executives of the Church denominations affiliated with the program also provide key direct support and serve as liaison between the program, the churches and the Colleges.

Applicants must be undergraduate students (in any discipline) of Northern Ireland academic institutions currently in their pre-final year of study at the time of application. Selection commences in Autumn each year with students taking up places in the following August.

The aims of the programme are:

•To develop future managers for Northern Ireland

•To develop the business and management skills of pre-final year degree and HND students from any discipline

•To improve the core skills of participants

•To provide students with an outward looking, international experience  

•To raise the economic and cultural awareness of Northern Ireland in the US.

www.britishcouncil.org/northernireland

www.delni.gov.uk