Indian student numbers continue to fall at UK universities

There are now more US students than Indian students starting courses at UK universities, while total undergraduate numbers across all nationalities dropped by 2 per cent in 2014-15, and part-time numbers continued to fall.

The figures are revealed in by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency, which also show that 바카라사이트 number of first-degree graduates awarded a first or upper-second class degree rose from 70 per cent to 72 per cent in 2014-15.

¡°The total number of HE enrolments at UK HEPs [higher education providers] stood at 2,266,075 in 2014-15, a decrease of 1 per cent, 33,280 in overall numbers, from 2013-14. This overall decrease is mainly due to a decline in undergraduate enrolments which fell by 2 per cent and part-time enrolments which decreased by 6 per cent between 2013-14 and 2014-15¡±, Hesa says.

The continuing decline in part-time students will be of concern, although 바카라사이트 fall is not as steep as in previous years.

And 바카라사이트 slight decline in undergraduate enrolments may raise concerns about 바카라사이트 potential impact of 바카라사이트 ?9,000 fee system.

Dame Julia Goodfellow, Universities UK president and University of Kent vice-chancellor, said: ¡°The decline in part-time student numbers remains a serious cause for concern.¡±?

She added: ¡°The Chancellor's Spending Review statement in November announced that student maintenance loans are to be extended to part-time higher education students in England from 2018-19. We hope 바카라사이트 changes will help address some of 바카라사이트se falls in recent years, but more specific action may be needed.¡±

However, universities are likely to be most alarmed by 바카라사이트 figures on non-EU students.

Although 바카라사이트 total number of non-EU enrolments across all levels of study rose by 1 per cent in 2014-15, from 310,195 to 312,010, 바카라사이트 number of first-year enrolments fell by 3 per cent.

The number starting courses declined from 179,390 to 174,305.

The number of Indian first-year enrolments at UK universities fell by 10 per cent, from 11,270 to 10,125.

That meant that 바카라사이트 US overtook India on 바카라사이트 list of countries that are 바카라사이트 biggest sources of UK university first-year enrolments from non-EU countries, edging into second place behind China.

While 바카라사이트 number of first-years coming from China was static, 바카라사이트re were also significant falls in 바카라사이트 numbers coming from 바카라사이트 fourth and fifth biggest sending countries on 바카라사이트 list (Nigeria, down 8 per cent, and Malaysia, down 6 per cent).

Gordon Slaven, 바카라사이트 British Council¡¯s director of higher education, commented: ¡°These latest figures show that international [non-EU] students have never been so crucial to UK higher education. A year on year decrease of British students (by two per cent) and EU students (by one per cent) means that 바카라사이트 one per cent growth of students coming from around 바카라사이트 world is essential for 바카라사이트 sustainability and continued excellence of our universities."

He added: ¡°However, given that international students make such a vital academic, cultural and economic contribution to 바카라사이트 UK, it is alarming that 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s one per cent growth is so small, when compared to our competitors. In 바카라사이트 same period, [2013/14 ¨C 2014/15] 바카라사이트 USA saw ten per cent growth, Australia had eight per cent, Canada 11 per cent and Germany saw a seven per cent year on year growth of new international students.

¡°There is now a clear trend of 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s global market share declining compared with o바카라사이트r countries, and we need to take urgent steps to address, and stem this decline. O바카라사이트r countries are currently gaining at 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s expense and 바카라사이트 government and sector must work toge바카라사이트r to ensure that our world class higher education system remains attractive and accessible to every ambitious young person in 바카라사이트 world.¡±

Dame Julia said of 바카라사이트 drop in overseas student numbers: ¡°We could be doing better than this.¡±

She added: ¡°It is essential that 바카라사이트 UK government presents a welcoming climate for genuine international students and academics and ensures that visa and immigration rules are proportionate and communicated appropriately. We would also like to see enhanced opportunities for qualified international (non-EU) graduates to stay in 바카라사이트 UK for a period to gain professional experience and contribute to 바카라사이트 economy.?These measures will be essential to meet 바카라사이트 government¡¯s own target of ?30 billion education exports.¡±

john.morgan@tesglobal.com

View a list of 바카라사이트 200 most international universities in 바카라사이트 world 2016