Report: The impact of international students on UK natives’ academic outcomes

The presence of international students in UK higher education institutions has minimal effect on native students’ academic outcomes, according to a paper published in ScienceDirect. 

The study sheds new light on the longstanding debate surrounding the impact of international students on their native counterparts in UK higher education.

Research on “The effect of foreign students in higher education on native students’ outcomes” offers a comprehensive analysis of administrative data from the English HE system and focuses on the outcomes of native students’ performance amid the influx of international students. 

The UK remains the world’s second-largest host country for international students.

Key Insights

• Educational Outcomes: The presence of international students in HEIs shows minimal to mild effects on the educational outcomes of native students, including graduation rates and degree classification.
• Degree and University Switching: A significant study finding is the influence of EU students on native students’ likelihood of switching from non-STEM to STEM degrees and moving from Russell Group to non-Russell Group universities. However, these shifts remain relatively rare.

Image Source: ScienceDirect: Ability of natives by type of university and degree

• Labor Market Impact: Contrary to popular belief, the study finds negligible effects of international students on the early labor market outcomes of UK natives, including employment status and job attributes. An exception is the positive impact of non-EU students on the salaries of high-ability native graduates.

Image Source: ScienceDirect: HE and labor market outcomes by ethnicity

• Demographic and Institutional Variations: The research also highlights a consistent impact of international students across various native student groups and university types, underscoring a universal influence regardless of students’ backgrounds.

This study provides critical insights for policymakers, educational institutions, and the broader public. It challenges previous assumptions about the adverse effects of international students on native populations at HE levels, suggesting a more balanced educational ecosystem than previously thought.

Global Context

The findings are relevant to other host countries of international students, such as the U.S., Canada, and Australia. It underscores the importance of understanding the dynamics of international education in shaping future policies and educational practices.

While there are some impacts on native students, particularly regarding university and degree choices, the overall effect remains limited. 

This research marks a significant step in understanding the complex dynamics of international and native students in higher education, paving the way for future research in this evolving field.