The count of students from other countries who are applying to study in the UK for their undergraduate degrees has increased for the second consecutive year.
Fresh information indicates that 115,730 students from different countries applied to begin their studies in September, a slight increase from 114,910 last year.
This increase happened even though the government made stricter rules to “reduce migration”.
Universities have been accused of lowering level to attract students from other countries, who often pay higher fees than students from the UK.
The accusations have led to a review of how students are admitted into universities.
“Very hard to guess”
The count of students from other countries who are applying is still less than the peak of 116,110 before the Covid pandemic.
The numbers went down in the following two years, when international travel was limited, but they have been going up again since then.
“The rise in international student applications shouldn’t concern UK students considering university.” said Dr. Jo Saxton, the chief executive of Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS). She explained that applications from UK students have also been increasing in recent years.
Many students from other countries come to study in the UK, especially for master’s degrees, but this information isn’t included in the new data from UCAS.
“Big Decreases”
Vivienne Stern, who leads Universities UK, an organization representing 142 universities, expressed concerns on BBC Radio 4’s Today show. She mentioned that the data may not fully reflect the situation, and universities are concerned that the overall number of international students could still decrease.
“Last year, even though there were more applications, we saw some big drops in the number of students enrolling.” she explained.
“It’s unstable and that’s really not good for universities because… they rely on international students to support education at home.”
Ms. Stern was asked about what might happen if the numbers go down in the future. She said, “In the end, I think it will make it more difficult for universities to offer places to home students.“
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The maximum amount a student in the UK will pay for a year of undergraduate tuition is £9,250, although the actual amount may vary depending on their location.
International students can be charged up to £38,000 per year for undergraduate courses and £30,000 per year for postgraduate courses. In England, the tuition fee cap has increased only once since 2012, rising from £9,000 to £9,250 per year. Universities are concerned that this increase is not keeping pace with inflation.
The Russell Group, which represents 24 high standing universities, estimates that due to a decrease in the value of student loans and government teaching grants, universities face a £2,500 deficit per domestic undergraduate student.
Data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency indicates that the number of international student enrolments grew from 469,160 in the 2017-18 academic year to 679,970 in 2021-22.
The increase is primarily driven by applications for postgraduate degrees, according to University of Oxford migration research, rather than the undergraduate courses typically pursued by many 18-year-olds in the UK.
However, new rules introduced this year to control migration mean that international students can no longer bring family members with them unless they are enrolled in research courses or have government-funded scholarships.
“Political pressure”
Ms Stern expressed concerns about the challenges facing universities, including competition from other countries like the US and Australia, as well as UK government policies. She highlighted that universities now face financial difficulties, with income from international students no longer providing the extra funds they once did. Instead of being an added bonus, this income is now essential for universities’ operations.
A recent report from the British Council suggested that the growth in international student numbers seen after the Covid pandemic might slow down due to increasing political pressure against migration and the rising costs of studying in the UK. This pressure is already affecting universities, with some announcing job cuts and facing financial challenges.
Despite these challenges, international students bring significant economic benefits to the UK. Former universities minister Jo Johnson emphasized their value, stating that they create economic value and enable universities to offer courses they wouldn’t otherwise provide to domestic students. Additionally, attracting international students enhances the UK’s global reputation and networking opportunities.
The government aims to have 600,000 international students studying in the UK annually by 2030, recognizing the crucial role of education exports in supporting the UK economy. This target has been surpassed in recent years, indicating the continued importance of international students to the UK.
“Dangerously Understaffed”
Accusations have surfaced about universities lowering standards to attract international students, with claims of secret routes for admission to prestigious universities. However, these claims have been refuted, stating that international students are not taking the places of domestic students or being admitted with lower grades. Despite this, concerns have been raised, leading to a review of admission processes to ensure fairness. Additionally, data from Ucas indicates a decline in nursing applicants, raising concerns about potential understaffing in the NHS.
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February 19, 2024Acknowledge