This shift follows the announcement by Universities UK (UUK) of a review of international student admissions processes, prompted by concerns about recruitment practices.
This shift follows the announcement by Universities UK (UUK) of a review of international student admissions processes, prompted by concerns about recruitment practices.
Analysts delved into various factors, including study visa issuance, the UK’s share of international students, and changes in exchange rates, to conclude that growth in new enrollments of international students is likely to slow in the United Kingdom.
The strengthening of the pound could render British education financially unattainable for a significant portion of international students, particularly impacting markets such as Nigeria, Pakistan, Ghana, and certain regions of East Asia.
A recent report by the British Council sounded the alarm over the impending slowdown in international student mobility to British universities this year. The anticipated “post-Covid boom” appears to be coming to an end, attributed to changes in migration policy and the escalating costs of studying in the UK.
Report findings
According to the report, universities in the UK will face increased pressure to actively engage with Chinese students regarding graduate routes and career services, especially amid rising youth unemployment in China. This shift follows the announcement by Universities UK (UUK) of a review of international student admissions processes, prompted by concerns about recruitment practices.
The resurgence of the United States education market also presents heightened competition for the UK. The report predicts that the US will offer a more welcoming environment for international students, potentially challenging recruitment efforts in the UK, Australia, and Canada.
The report said, “In all four major host markets – Australia, Canada, the UK and US – the number of international student enrolments has already surpassed pre-pandemic levels.”
However, uncertainties loom over the long-term trajectory of the US education market, with political dynamics, including the outcome of the presidential election, playing a pivotal role in its recovery.
“This means new enrollments will likely increase more slowly in 2024 (and beyond) as these markets revert to the steady but unremarkable long-term growth rates that preceded the pandemic,” the report said.
Realigning with pre-pandemic growth path
While the report paints a somber picture for inbound student mobility to the UK in 2024, researchers view this as a natural correction that will realign the UK with its pre-pandemic growth trajectory in the long term.
“Inbound student mobility to the UK could decline in 2024 for the first time since the pandemic due to a combination of mostly cyclical headwinds.
“But this is a natural correction that will put the UK back on its long-term pre-Covid growth trajectory,” the report concluded.
In response to these projections, experts advocate for British universities to shift their focus from quantity-based metrics to quality-based ones in international student recruitment. This recommendation follows recent allegations of “bad practice” by agents recruiting international students for British universities, sparking an investigation by universities minister Robert Halfon.
One contentious issue highlighted is the disparity in tuition fees between domestic and international undergraduate students in England. With domestic fees frozen since 2017 at £9,250 per year, there is no cap on international student fees, prompting discussions about the need for British universities to attract more international students to offset financial constraints.
Vivienne Stern, CEO of UUK, pointed out the economic significance of international students, urging the government to prioritize supporting international student admissions to safeguard the UK’s competitiveness as a study destination.
“International students are hugely beneficial both for UK universities and their wider communities, with a single intake bringing in over £40 billion to the UK economy in one year,” Stern said, adding that since the government is “rightly focused” on economic growth, ruining the UK’s competitiveness as a study destination would translate into “economic self-harm.”
“Students and universities need stability to plan for the future,” she added. “So we are calling on the Government to commit to supporting both international student admissions and to protect the graduate route.”
Maddalaine Ansell, director of education at the British Council, underscores the enduring strength of UK education but calls for continued engagement to ensure sustained success in recruiting highly qualified international students.
Responding to these concerns, a government spokesperson reaffirms the commitment to strike a balance between reducing net migration and attracting talented students, highlighting ongoing financial support to higher education.
