The Leading Event for Counsellor’s Career Development & Networking

Why attend the Global International Schools Forum & Workshop?

Simply put, there is no other international event that offers so many benefits for its school counsellors.

We recognise the crucial work counsellors do in advising students across the region, and the need for you to continuously build upon your knowledge, skill set and global network. That’s why this event has been specifically designed to aid your understanding of international admissions practices and make the right kind of contacts around the world.

 

Benefits of participation

The event is by invitation only and specifically for high school counsellors who can apply via an application form sent in early January 2024. All approved participants will have the following benefits:

• Free return air ticket to/from London via your closest major international airport.
• Free Deluxe hotel on a twin-shared basis at the Hilton Heathrow from 18 to 22 May 2025.
• Welcome Dinner, and Networking Cocktail & Gala Dinner as part of the Global Counsellor Awards ceremony.
• Buffet breakfast, coffee breaks and Gourmet Lunch on Monday, 19 May, Tuesday, 20 May and Wednesday 21 May.
• Hosted counsellor-only dinners on all other nights.
• Various other meals and breakfast on each day.
• Participation in expert-level THE CAP Level 2 personal development sessions.
• 26 pre-scheduled individual meetings with international education institutions.
• Full-colour profile of your school in the Official Event Handbook given to all international universities.
• Option to arrive one day early with free accommodation – subject to availability.
• Official BMI & THE Participation Certificate.

Accommodation

Counsellors will receive free deluxe hotel accommodation on a shared twin-room basis – with the exception of THE Advisory Board members, between Sunday 18 to Thursday 22 May 2025, at the Hilton Heathrow Terminal 5 Hotel in London. 

Early registration is recommended, and we will confirm your room accommodation as soon as possible. Please note that If two counsellors from the same school are approved to participate, they must share the same room and must pay the airfare to London for the second counsellor.

Hotel Check-in: 18 May 2025

Hotel Check-out: 22 May 2025

Buffet breakfast on 19, 20 and 21 May is included for counsellors who are staying at the hotel.

Accommodation from May 22 to 23 will be provided at The Stay Club on a shared twin-room basis.

Networking Cocktail Reception and Dinner

The Cocktail Reception and Dinner is an important aspect of the event and will take place on the evening of Monday 19 May 2025. This is the perfect opportunity to meet other counsellors from across the world as well as the participating international education institutions in a relaxed environment.

 

In just six days, you will:

• Meet experienced representatives from International Universities who have been flown into London by BMI/THE specifically for this event, as well as fellow counsellors from across the world.

• Receive the latest updates on undergraduate admissions criteria and application procedures to International Universities.

• Participate in a series of world-class professional development sessions as part of the Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Programme (THE CAP).

• Visit some of the best universities in the UK.

The Global International Schools Forum & Workshop is therefore a must-attend event for gathering new insights on international education, enhancing the way you support students applying overseas, and staying up-to-date on undergraduate admissions.

Event timetable

Sunday, 18 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
15:00	Arrival to the UK / Check in at the hotel
​17:15 - 18:00	Registration (Collect Badges & Event Handbook) for Counsellors
18:00 -19:45	WELCOME & CAP SESSION
19:45 - 21:30	​Counsellors Welcome Reception and Dinner

Monday, 19 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
08:00 - 08:20	Welcome/First timers session
​08:30 - 10:30	​Private meetings (5 x 20 minutes each)
10:30 - 10:45	​Refreshment Break
​10:45 - 12:20	​Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
12:20 - 13:35	Networking Lunch
13:35 - 15:10	​Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
15:10 - 15:25	​Refreshment Break
15:25 - 16:05	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose 1
16:15 - 16:55	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose​​ 2
18:00 - 22:15	Global Counsellors Awards Cocktail Reception and Dinner

Tuesday, 20 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:10 - 09:50	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose​​ 3
10:00 - 11:35	​Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
11:35 - 11:50	​Refreshment Break
11:50 - 13:00	​Private meetings (3 x 20 minutes each)
13:00 - 14:15	​Networking Lunch
14:15 - 15:50	Private meetings (4 x 20 minutes each)
15:50 - 16:05	Refreshment Break
16:05 - 16:50	Private meetings (2 x 20 minutes each)
17:00 - 17:40	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose 4
17:50 - 18:30	Times Higher Education Counsellor Accreditation Program (THE CAP) - Training provided by Common Purpose 5
​19:30 - 21:30	​​​​Hosted ​counsellors only dinner

Wednesday, 21 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00 - 21:00	Full day of THE CAP Sessions

Thursday, 22 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00 - 21:00	Full day of University visits

Friday, 23 May

TIME	ACTIVITY
09:00 - 21:00	Full day of University visits and Farewell Party

*This schedule is subject to change

Counsellor Expenses

Counsellors are responsible for all expenses not included in the workshop program such as:
​

• Transfers  to/from Airports in home city and to/from hotels and The Stay Club in London;
• Meals which are not part of the event program;
• Personal or additional expenses that are not part of the workshop program;
• Fees for changing flights or any fare difference from normal flight dates to/from London (if requested);
• Any costs in relation to obtaining a Visa to travel to the United Kingdom.

​Counsellors are also responsible for ensuring they have adequate travel and medical cover for the duration of their trip.

 

Counsellor Expenses Participation Commitment & Cancellation

Counsellors who have been approved to participate in this event have the following obligations:
​

• Respond to BMI/THE requests in a timely manner.
• Participate in all THE CAP sessions over the 7 days.
• Pre-arrange your schedule of meetings in our online meeting portal prior to arrival in London – BMI/THE reserve the right to schedule meetings for you if this is not completed.
• Pay any charges for fees for services or flight changes in a timely manner. Please note most flights are non-changeable and non-cancellable once booked as tickets are issued under a American Express group policy.
• If you cancel 45 days before the event – for any reason, after the flight ticket has been issued – you would be responsible for the cost of the flight ticket.
• If you cancel 30 days before the event – for any reason, after the flight ticket has been issued – you would be responsible for the cost of the flight ticket and £500 pounds (to cover 3 nights hotel at the Hilton).