Applications to study in America have risen since 11 September attacks

Applications from British graduates for prestigious scholarships to study in the United States have increased by 30 per cent since the terrorist attacks of 11 September, figures from the Fulbright Commission have revealed.

The commission, which has run a postgraduate exchange scheme since 1946, received a record 430 applications at the end of last year for about 12 general scholarships to the US, up from 330 in the same period the previous year.

It is expecting an even larger increase in applications for its 10 postgraduate business scholarships, when the competition closes next week.

Alumni of the Fulbright scholarship scheme include the American poet Sylvia Plath, the authors Malcolm Bradbury and Peter Ackroyd, and Charles Kennedy, the Liberal Democrat leader.

The number of American graduates applying to study in Britain under the Fulbright scheme increased slightly, with 610 candidates competing for about 25 places, up from 600 last year. James Moore, the commission's executive director, said that among those applications there had been a marked increase in the number of Americans wanting to study international relations.

He believed the economic downturn and a greater desire to understand other cultures after 11 September had contributed to the unprecedented interest among British graduates in studying in America.

He said: "We expect MBA applications to be even more sharply up. Management consultants are not hiring, so the type of people who might want to do an MBA will be finding it harder to get jobs.

"These sorts of people may be taking the opportunity to study because of the difficult employment conditions. We had worried there might have been a downturn in applications after 11 September. But the fear factor doesn't seem to have any impact at all."

The interest in studying at institutions in the United States is not limited to prestigious scholarships. The commission's educational advisory service, which provides advice in Britain on studying in America, reported a 10 per cent increase in inquiries in October and November 2001, compared with the same period the previous year. This followed a 6.4 per cent drop in inquiries in September 2001, compared with September 2000.

The Fulbright Commission was set up to promote educational exchange between future leaders of Britain and the United States. It now links 130 countries. About 250,000 scholars have studied abroad as part of the scheme, which is one of the few to allow British graduates spend a full year at an American college.

Political leaders including President George Bush and Tony Blair have lent their support to the Fulbright scheme.

In a statement for the commission's 2001 annual review, Mr Bush said: "The Fulbright programme is one of the many pillars that sustain the unique relationship between our two countries, a relationship rooted in history, shared values and shared interests. Our response to terrorism is not just military, and not just law enforcement. It must also be reflected in a renewed determination as a society to support tolerance, openness, and the free exchange of ideas. In this sense, the attacks of 11 September have given the Fulbright Commission renewed meaning."

Mr Blair said: "National interest is to a significant extent governed by international collaboration. Fulbright embodies the values of tolerance and dialogue. Its role has never been more important than now."

Mr Moore said: "Few who have reflected on the 11 September tragedy would have any doubt that there is still much work to be done to increase understanding between the people of the United States and the rest of the world – including the United Kingdom.

"There is a continuing need for leaders in all walks of life to understand each other and the differences in each others' cultures. The role of the US-UK Fulbright programme in helping to build the future is greater than ever."