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Backpackers' growing interest in the Outback is fuelling an expansion of ߣߣÊÓƵn studies in the UK, writes Paul Hill.

The Menzies Centre for ߣߣÊÓƵn Studies, based at King's College London, is planning to offer masters courses in the country's history, politics, art and cinema from 2005.

Carl Bridge, head of the centre, said the growing familiarity with ߣߣÊÓƵ among British students was creating a "surge of interest".

He said: "Young people are enormously mobile and globally attuned. There is now a fair chunk of them in Britain with a fresh interest in ߣߣÊÓƵ, and in search of fresh perspectives.

"Research by the ߣߣÊÓƵn Tourist Commission showed that one in four backpackers who visited the country in 2003 was a young Briton."