Overseas student numbers rise in the UK

The number of overseas students coming to the UK has risen dramatically in the past five years.

Numbers increased by 32% in the five years to 2010, data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) show.

There was an 6% increase in number of home students in the UK over the same time.

Last year, there were just over 400,000 overseas students studying at universities in the UK.

                                                          

At undergraduate level, the five years to 2010 saw a 5% rise in home students from the UK attending UK universities and a 27% increase in overseas students.

At postgraduate level, UK student numbers rose by nearly 9%, while those of overseas students increased by 37%.

Universities compete to attract students from overseas, who can bring valuable financial contributions as well as added status to an institution.

Students from other European Union countries have to pay whatever fees are charged to local students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Scotland, where Scottish students do not pay fees, EU students from outside of the UK do not pay fees, while students from other parts of the UK do.

Students from outside of the EU are charged a range of fees - with no upper limit.

'Closed for business'

University academics say the research shows the importance of foreign students to the UK.

The coalition government, in its drive to reduce immigration, is tightening controls on student visas.

Sally Hunt, the general secretary of the University and College Union said: "This report highlights the importance of foreign students to UK universities and the economy.

"Our universities are consistently enriched by the students and academics that come to this country to study, carry out research and share their knowledge.

"Politicians must be very careful not to restrict academic access or make ill-judged comments that give the impression UK universities are closed for business."

Source: BBC News

UK could lose $3.8bn from tougher student visa rules

Visa target ... private colleges must achieve recognised accreditation before receiving international students. Photograph: Martin Argles/The Guardian

The British economy could lose up to $3.8bn as tougher student visa rules introduced from last month start to take effect, according to a report commissioned by the minister responsible for the visa changes,Damian Green.

An impact assessment report by the Home Office says the new policy will deter bogus students and improve compliance, but the expected 230,000 reduction in the numbers of applicants for the Tier 4 student visa from outside the EU over the next four years will have wider costs.

The report estimates that income from fees will be cut by $270m over four years, while up to $3.2bn will be lost because students enrolled at private colleges have lost their right to work part-time and contribute to the economy.

Private English language training providers, which had 21,000 Tier 4 visa applicants in 2010, are likely to see applicants drop by 13,000 in 2014, with a net loss $4.8m.

The report estimates that the decision to raise the minimum level of English proficiency for students from non-English-speaking countries who want to study on degree courses will cut applicants by 11,000 per year.

Meanwhile, lobbying by the British Council and the English UK trade association to have the Accreditation UK inspection scheme for private English language programmes accepted by the Home Office for Tier 4 visa applications has failed.

Accreditation UK was not included on a final list of recognised accrediting bodies published by the UK Border Agency last month. Institutions currently approved by Accreditation UK that want to continue to enrol Tier 4 students will need to gain approved accreditation by the end of 2012.

Source; The Guardian

Dutch university sees tenfold rise in UK applicants

The number of British teenagers applying to one of Europe's leading universities has risen dramatically this year. Maastricht University in the Netherlands has seen a tenfold increase with more than 400 applications from UK students compared with just 35 at the same time last year.

A key factor in the rise is the cost of studying at Maastricht: only £1,526 a year, compared with £3,240 at present at English universities.

Many of those who applied are fearful of their chances of getting a UK place this September as the number of applications has soared as people attempt to beat the rise in tuition fees of up to £9,000 a year next September.

Maastricht University has seen 400 British teenagers apply for places this year, up from just 35 last year

Officials believe as many as 200,000 applicants could be turned down for a place in the UK next September.

Lauren Williams, 20, from Chippenham in Wiltshire, is one of hundreds of Britons attending a "speed dating" open day at Maastricht today.

Lecturers will be lined up to give details of their courses to the hundreds of UK students applying – to help them make their minds up.

In Ms Williams' case, though, she has already been accepted to study arts and culture at the university.

"To be honest, I'd never really considered Maastricht," she said. "I tried going to university last year but it didn't quite work out. Then my dad saw a piece on TV about Maastricht attracting UK students.

"Tuition fees are so much cheaper and the economy here is so much better, so there are more job prospects than in the UK."

Ms Williams, who has a B and two Cs at A-level, added: "It is really, really beautiful here. We drove across Belgium to get here and the closer we got, the more beautiful it became."

Maastricht does not close admissions for this autumn until August and is expecting the number of UK applicants to rise. Last year it eventually took 106 undergraduates – up from 64 the previous year.

Ms Williams said that successful applicants would be tested every eight weeks on their course.

"If you don't keep up, then that's it," she said. "It's one way of keeping you on your toes."

Courses are also taught in English which makes them more attractive to British applicants.

"A world of choice is opening up for well qualified students in the UK who want to stand out from the crowd," said Martin Paul, the university's president.

"Choosing a top-quality university in another country can broaden their horizons and give them an international experience that is greatly valued by employers."

Academics in the UK are predicting a massive student "brain drain" next year as students seek cheaper options overseas.

One leading state school, the Hockerill Anglo-European College in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, has already hired a student counsellor to advise school leavers on higher education opportunities overseas.

Source; The Independent