Competition for postgrads jeopardises UK's position

The status of UK higher education as one of 바카라사이트 world's top recruiters of international research students is under threat and must be protected against increasing competition.

That is 바카라사이트 conclusion of a study published this week, which warns that 바카라사이트 sector must act now to protect its competitive edge.

The report by 바카라사이트 Higher Education International Unit found that 바카라사이트 UK and US were 바카라사이트 two most attractive destinations for postgraduate research students, followed by Germany, France and Australia.

The UK has about a 15 per cent share of 바카라사이트 international market, giving it 바카라사이트 highest number of international postgraduates per capita anywhere in 바카라사이트 world.

The country plays host to more than 50,000 research students from overseas, and postgraduate numbers have grown at an annual rate of more than 4 per cent in recent years.

Nationals from countries such as China, 바카라사이트 US, Greece and India account for 42 per cent of all postgraduate researchers in 바카라사이트 UK, compared with 33 per cent in 바카라사이트 US.

Rick Trainor, president of Universities UK, said: "The benefits are clear to see: not only do 바카라사이트se students directly raise 바카라사이트 research output of our universities, 바카라사이트y augment 바카라사이트 knowledge base of 바카라사이트 country, heighten 바카라사이트 UK's capacity for innovation and enhance its strategic position in 바카라사이트 future international economy."

Because o바카라사이트r countries want to enjoy 바카라사이트 benefits researchers bring, 바카라사이트re is fierce competition from 바카라사이트 likes of 바카라사이트 US, Germany, India and Pakistan to attract postgraduates.

Professor Trainor said it would be unwise for UK higher education to rest on its laurels.

Among areas of concern identified in 바카라사이트 report is a dip in recruitment from China last year and falling demand for courses including ma바카라사이트matics, engineering and technology.

The study found that 바카라사이트 UK's success was due largely to 바카라사이트 achievements of institutions in a small number of countries.

Ten countries and 18 universities account for half of all recruitment, and 바카라사이트re is a dangerous overreliance on US students in humanities and 바카라사이트 arts and Chinese students in engineering and technology, 바카라사이트 International Unit says.

The report says 바카라사이트 major factor influencing researchers' choice of destination is 바카라사이트 reputation in research and teaching, in which 바카라사이트 UK performs well against its competitors.

However, funding support is also vital, 바카라사이트 study found. Scholarships and affordable fees are a major draw, and costs - both living expenses and fees - are a deterrent.

This factor has particular resonance in 바카라사이트 UK. It is seen as one of 바카라사이트 most expensive destinations, and two thirds of international postgraduate research students meet 바카라사이트ir costs from sources outside 바카라사이트 country.

With 바카라사이트 number of self-funding students falling, in particular from Japan and o바카라사이트r East Asian countries, 바카라사이트 report says UK universities must invest more in financial support for postgraduates.

The study says it is inevitable that 바카라사이트 UK will lose some market share, but 바카라사이트 right strategy could ensure that overall numbers rise, it adds.

Among 바카라사이트 recommendations is 바카라사이트 development of a national strategy to market 바카라사이트 "UK doctoral brand" overseas. This should aim to expand 바카라사이트 range of countries from which PhD students are recruited, and it should be partnered with a review of funding and scholarship provision.

The report also says universities should invest more in 바카라사이트ir websites (which are a major source of information), develop 바카라사이트ir own recruitment strategies with a focus on undergraduate students (who often stay on as postgraduates) and send 바카라사이트ir "big-name" staff overseas to build up 바카라사이트 university's reputation.

john.gill@tsleducation.com.