About Us

We are experienced and dedicated to helping students achieve their dreams. Here is our story…


Founded in 1998 and recognised as an award-winning family-run business, we are proud to say that we are one of the UK’s leading and most established guardianship companies.

The Study Links team’s personal experiences of studying and teaching in the UK and other countries help inform our approach to supporting students.

Our Team

Leadership Team
Angela Fan

Founder

Eric Fan

Director

Ailie Fan

Managing Director

Finance Team
Sarah Singleton

Bookkeeper

Marketing Team
Lisa Howard

Marketing Executive

Student Services Team
Jodie Driver

Student Service Lead

Gabriela Seczkowska

Student Service Coordinator

Tian Gu

Student Service Coordinator

Paula Jureczko

Student Service Coordinator

Zara Kenny

Student Service Coordinator

Academic Consultants
Ann Austin

Academic Consultant

Bridget Lane

Academic Consultant

Bryan Chadderton

Academic Consultant

Chris Holsman

Academic Consultant

Clare Baker-Smith

Academic Consultant

Denis Savage

Academic Consultant

Harriet Johnson-Tsui

Academic Consultant

Katie Schad

Academic Consultant

Louise Harrison

Academic Consultant

Michael Grive

Academic Consultant

Natalja Fakirova

Academic Consultant

Nik MacKenzie

Academic Consultant

Phil Davis

Academic Consultant

Stuart Mills

Academic Consultant

Tamsin Bailey

Academic Consultant

Ying Zhang

Academic Consultant

Our Story


Study Links International was established in 1998 by husband and wife team, Eric and Angela Fan. Owing to their hard work, dedication and care, Study Links grew, evolving from a family business into the business we are today – a devoted company with a strong family ethos still at its core.

The true history of Study Links goes back to 1976 when Eric Fan, a young student from Hong Kong, moved to England to begin his own journey through the UK education system.
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Eric began studying at a Sixth Form College where he met Angela. They were studying for A-Levels and then graduated from university.
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In 1983, the young couple moved to Hong Kong where Eric taught Mathematics and Computer Science and Angela taught English in schools Angela became fluent in Cantonese and the couple got married and had two children.
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After 5 years in Hong Kong, the couple decided to move back to the UK so that their children could benefit from a British education. Eric was offered a job at a large company in Bradford, and they had a third child, Ailie.
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Eric’s nephew, Andy wanted to study in the UK, so they found him a good boarding school and he came to stay with them in the holidays. This was their first experience of being a Guardian.
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This worked so successfully that the following year his younger sister Carmen and two children of family friends came to study at schools chosen by the couple who acted as their Guardians. Angela continued teaching English to international students at a local FE College, and travelled the world on behalf of the college to recruit students to study in the UK. During the 90s an ever-growing number of friends, family members, acquaintances and friends of friends came to the UK, with Angela and Eric continuing to help find suitable schools and act as their guardians. It was a lot of rewarding but hard work, to ensure all the students were happy and safe. It was great to see how, with their help, the students progressed and thrived and how appreciated this was by their parents.
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As they received more and more requests for Guardianship, they decided in 1998 to set up their own Guardianship company, which started life at their dining room table. As they weren’t able to accommodate all the students themselves, they asked friends and family members to become host families to provide caring, welcoming homes for these students, who attended boarding schools mainly in the Yorkshire area.
The company rapidly grew in size and reputation with families and schools all over the UK and by 2008, Study Links had its own business premises, employed five full time staff and had many more homestays on board.
We hosted an ‘Education in the UK’ event at the British Embassy in Beijing in 2013 inviting special guest speakers from within the industry. Its purpose was to promote the UK Education system and was attended by elite schools, businesses, parents and students from throughout China. The event was very well received, resulting in positive press and television coverage.
The company continues to grow and thrive, with Guardianship students from many nationalities at schools throughout the UK as well as a network of part-time members of staff and homestays. Their daughter Ailie, having studied Chinese and Business, now plays an integral role within the business.
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Our company has gone from strength to strength, with growing prestige and reputation for being knowledgeable and experienced in our field. We still remain true to the family values at the heart of the company, every student in our care benefits from these. Study Links understands that their experience in the UK is important for their future, we help make this chapter of their life a success, and instil them with the confidence, skills and tools to write the next.

Awards and recognitions

Small Business Awards 2021

We are pleased to announce we are winners in the Small Business Awards 2021. We have won an award for 'Best International Student Support Provider- West Yorkshire

Best International Student Support Director 2021

Studylinks' International Ltd. Best International Student Support Director 2021: Ailie Fan

CEO Today Magazine Global Award 2021

Study Links won the CEO Today Magazine Global Award 2021 which recognises, identifies, and honours the most respected companies and their C-level executives operating across the globe today.

Family business of the year 2019 (Shortlisted)

Export team of the year 2019 (Shortlisted)

Best Immersive Language Tuition Company – UK

AI Excellence Award for Immersive English Tuition 2017

AI Influential businesswoman awards 2017

2016 Telegraph and Argus Bradford Means Business Awards (highly commended)

Study Links were shortlisted for Employer of the Year in the 2016 Telegraph and Argus Bradford Means Business Awards. Unfortunately we missed out to JCT600 but we were highly commended.

Yorkshire people's choice award 2016

Woman in Education Award 2016

Our founder Angela Fan was the winner of the Woman in Education Award at the 2016 Network She Foundation International Women's day awards in Llandudno (Wales)

Yorkshire & Humber China Business Awards 2014 (Shortlisted)

Study Links was shortlisted for the Yorkshire & Humber China Business Awards 2014 in the ‘Established Business with China’ category. The Yorkshire & Humber China Business Awards are run by the Business Confucius Institute at the University of Leeds, supported by UK Trade and Investment and China-Britain Business Council.

Testimonials

"Study Links helped me during the darkest days in my life, when I was a helpless child who had just landed in a foreign country knowing little of the language and fearful of what would happen. It was Angela and her family who acted as guides and mentors in my first few months, warmly introducing me to the language and the culture. They filled my early days with laughter and joy, where it may well have been full of loneliness and sorrow, so that I could have the confidence to pursue what my heart desired. My homestay was so kind that I was very sad to leave the family after a whole year of staying with them. My guardian, Angela, would take me out every few months to check that I was happy with my life. “The school was as good as I could hope for. My classmates were people from ethnic groups from all around the world, and the teachers were all there to help you. It is with the help of these lovely people, that I made such an improvement in the language over such a short space of time and became confident enough to compete with my British classmates. “I can't thank you enough, Study Links. If there were no Study Links, there would be no me as I am today. You have all my good wishes, and I am so happy to see more and more students receive the happiness and guidance as I once had." Video

“My daughter has now completed the first year of her guardianship with Study Links. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to you all for introducing both the school and a great homestay to me and my daughter Grace. Irrespective of my daughter’s difficulties in adjusting to the UK and the school, this year my daughter is doing unexpectedly well in managing her study and life in school. This is attributed to:

  • The professional team of guardians at Study Links who have provided well organised care with knowledge and empathy.
  • The good academic and administrative foundations of Ackworth School. The constant care and professionalism of the staff and teachers there.
A short message like this can only reveal a small part of my gratitude.

“Study Links cared for my two sons during their time at school in England. Whenever my boys had any problems the Study Links team were there to help, offering valuable, caring advice and practical solutions. We have continued to keep in touch with Angela and her family since my sons left England and we are still great friends.”

“During our children's time in the UK, they were both thoroughly supported by Angela and Study Links. Study Links kept in regular contact with both our children and us so we had complete peace of mind at all times. Angela and Study Links cared for my children like they were their own children and for this I am grateful. I never worried for their safety when they were under Study Links' care. I would always recommend their service to any parents thinking of sending their children to the UK.”

Our Accreditations

Safe Schools initiative

Study Links is a member of Safe Schools UK initiative – Safe Schools UK initiative was created after the UK government announced to the nation the roadmap to ending lockdown. Safe Schools UK initiative has been set up to allow schools to quickly and clearly communicate to students, parents and their communities the safety measures that will be in place.

Association for the Education & Guardianship of International Students

Study Links is fully accredited by AEGIS – The Association for the Education & Guardianship of International Students. All of our processes are regularly inspected and audited by AEGIS to ensure that we maintain the highest level of service for the students in our care.

Living Wage Employer

Study Links is accredited as a Living Wage employer. The Living Wage is an hourly rate set independently and updated annually. The Living Wage is calculated according to the basic cost of living in the UK. Employers choose to pay the Living Wage on a voluntary basis. The Living Wage enjoys cross party support, with public backing from the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The Living Wage Foundation recognises and celebrates the leadership shown by Living Wage employers across the UK. There are currently over 1,200 accredited employers.

Bradford Chamber of Commerce

Study Links is a member of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce. Bradford Chamber provides support services to all businesses across the district. They help businesses open up new markets, and ensure that their views are heard by those within local and national government.

Overseas families found their questions and any concerns were dealt with promptly and with kindness. Schools, homestays and parents were extremely positive about the efficient communication, and they felt effectively supported by the professional actions of Study Links.
AEGIS Re-inspection, 2021