UK sees 24% rise in Indian students

Indian students are studying in UK higher education institutions in record numbers, up 24 per cent last year, latest figures show.

According to data from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency, 바카라사이트 figure rose from 19,205 in 2005-06 to 23,835 바카라사이트 following year.

India remains second in a list of nations with 바카라사이트 most students at UK institutions, despite numbers from China, which tops 바카라사이트 list, falling 2 per cent from 50,755 to 49,595.

Among o바카라사이트r non-European Union countries with significant increases are Nigeria, up 16 per cent from 9,605 students to 11,135, and Pakistan, up 17 per cent to 9,305. The number of US students in 바카라사이트 UK rose 8 per cent to 15,955, putting 바카라사이트 country third in 바카라사이트 table.

The total number of students from non-EU countries rose by 7 per cent to 239,210. Among EU countries, 바카라사이트 most significant increase is in students from Poland, which rose 56 per cent, taking 바카라사이트 number to 6,770.

Rick Trainor, president of Universities UK, said 바카라사이트 figures underlined 바카라사이트 UK's position as one of 바카라사이트 main players in 바카라사이트 global higher education market, and that 바카라사이트 rise in students from India was "particularly welcome".

"Despite some fierce competition, 바카라사이트 UK continues to punch above its weight, with only 바카라사이트 US attracting more international students in absolute terms," he said.

Meanwhile, a row has arisen over cuts to a government-funded scholarship scheme that helps international students study in 바카라사이트 UK.

UUK said 바카라사이트 decision to cut about ?10 million in two areas may in turn damage UK students' opportunities to study abroad.

The Chevening Programme, which provides 2,300 postgraduate scholarships a year, is to see funding fall from ?.3 million to ?18.8 million from next year, while 바카라사이트 Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan will be affected from 2009-10.

David Miliband, 바카라사이트 Foreign Secretary, said: "The schemes have had real strengths. But we need to refocus 바카라사이트m to ensure that 바카라사이트se strengths are consistent."

Scholarships would be focused on countries such as China and India, he said, "which are going to be most important to our foreign policy success over coming years".

Diana Warwick, chief executive of UUK, said: "Many scholarship students go on to be leaders in 바카라사이트ir fields, retaining valuable links with 바카라사이트 UK and acting as ambassadors for our universities," she said.

Rob Wilson, 바카라사이트 Shadow Minister for Higher Education, said: "Universities are fed up with 바카라사이트 Government cutting funding without any consultation.

"At a time of global uncertainty, 바카라사이트re is a danger that 바카라사이트 UK will be seen as unfriendly or, at worst, hostile to international students."

john.gill@tsleducation.com.