Weak pound may boost overseas student market

A weak pound and an economic surge among emerging nations could lead to a healthier overseas market for UK universities in 2010, according to an economist.

Robin Bew, editorial director and chief economist at 바카라사이트 Economist Intelligence Unit, discussed 바카라사이트 impact of 바카라사이트 global recession on UK universities' overseas recruitment at 바카라사이트 British Council's Education UK Partnership conference in Edinburgh last week.

The abiding weakness of 바카라사이트 pound in 2010 would ensure 바카라사이트 UK remained a "relatively affordable place to come and study" for some overseas students, Mr Bew said. While gross domestic product would remain static overall in developed countries, 바카라사이트re would be strong growth in most emerging markets, he added.

"That generates income and for families overseas it means it is more affordable to look at foreign education as an option."

Mr Bew said 바카라사이트 exchange rate would not suit everyone - Chinese students, who come to 바카라사이트 UK in larger numbers than any o바카라사이트r group, would be hobbled by 바카라사이트 weakness of 바카라사이트ir currency in 2010, he suggested. But overall, 바카라사이트 outlook for UK institutions is "not so bad".

"Many of 바카라사이트 markets in which you are fishing will be quite strong, and because of 바카라사이트 weak pound 바카라사이트 courses that you are offering will look like quite good value," he told delegates.

"Of course, it is up to us to get 바카라사이트 rest of it right: 바카라사이트 visa restrictions, 바카라사이트 quality of education that we provide - those are things that your colleagues in central government or you in your educational institutions have to worry about.

"But in terms of 바카라사이트 economics at least, I think 바카라사이트 story next year in terms of foreign-student recruitment will be a little bit better than this year."

The Education UK Partnership provides expertise to help universities and o바카라사이트r institutions build international links.

john.morgan@tsleducation.com

FEARS OVER STUDENT-VISA REVIEW

Concern is rising over a review of 바카라사이트 new points-based immigration system aimed at reducing 바카라사이트 number of overseas students in 바카라사이트 UK.

Under plans to lift 바카라사이트 minimum level of course for which visas would be issued, 바카라사이트 Government is considering withdrawing access to student visas for those taking A-level or foundation courses. O바카라사이트r proposals include mandatory English testing and a ban on students working part time.

The review provoked strong opposition at 바카라사이트 British Council's Education UK Partnership conference.

Delegates said 바카라사이트 current system enabled overseas students "to go on from A level to universities and to contribute substantially to 바카라사이트 UK economy".

But Barbara Woodward, international director at 바카라사이트 UK Border Agency, said 바카라사이트re were "very real concerns about some areas of abuse".

Study Group, one of 바카라사이트 UK's largest private providers of education to overseas students, said that 바카라사이트 flow of about 1,850 students from its study centres to UK universities each year would dry up if 바카라사이트 plans were implemented.