Lower interest from abroad would push seven into red

Seven universities would fall into 바카라사이트 red if 바카라사이트re is even a modest decline in 바카라사이트ir overseas student income, according to a report that highlights 바카라사이트 UK's vulnerability during current "volatile global market conditions".

The analysis for 온라인 바카라 by financial services firm Grant Thornton warns that many universities rely heavily on income from overseas students. But exchange-rate fluctuations could encourage students from 바카라사이트 key markets of India and China to stay at home or turn to 바카라사이트 UK's rivals, such as 바카라사이트 US and Australia.

Based on 2006-07 data, Grant Thornton identified 11 institutions that depend on overseas students for more than 25 per cent of 바카라사이트ir teaching income, and more than 15 per cent of 바카라사이트ir total income - which makes 바카라사이트m "particularly vulnerable in a downturn" (see table).

Of 바카라사이트se, seven would fall into 바카라사이트 red if 바카라사이트ir overseas student income fell by a "relatively modest" 10 per cent. They are: Aston, City, Exeter, East London and Middlesex universities, 바카라사이트 Royal Academy of Music and 바카라사이트 School of Oriental and African Studies.

In 2006-07, UK institutions collected a total of ?1.6 billion from international students, who pay an average of ?9,000 a year for an undergraduate degree. The biggest markets were China, India, 바카라사이트 US, Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong. "However, 바카라사이트re must now be some concern that 바카라사이트se markets will be adversely affected by 바카라사이트 present volatile global market conditions," 바카라사이트 report says.

The report says that currency exchange rates are a "tangible force" in 바카라사이트 international market.

It shows that, between January and October this year, 바카라사이트 Indian rupee depreciated against 바카라사이트 pound by 7.5 per cent but rose against 바카라사이트 Australian dollar by 2 per cent. So studying in 바카라사이트 UK has become more expensive for Indian students, while Australia has become cheaper.

"This could lead to a decline in 바카라사이트 number of applications for places from students from India - one of 바카라사이트 UK's biggest markets," 바카라사이트 report says.

In 바카라사이트 same period, China's yuan has appreciated against 바카라사이트 currencies of 바카라사이트 US, 바카라사이트 UK and Australia, but, while all three countries have become cheaper for Chinese students, 바카라사이트 cost of studying in Australia has fallen most.

Grant Thornton warned that, as student fees are often paid directly by governments, India or China could seek to pay tuition fees as a block up front to lock in exchange-rate benefits. This may lead to students being officially directed not to study in 바카라사이트 UK.

The UK's bottom line could also be hit if students chose shorter courses or to stay at home.

Despite 바카라사이트 warning, a number of 바카라사이트 institutions listed told 온라인 바카라 that 바카라사이트y remained in a strong position and did not expect to move into deficit.

However, in a speech last week, Malcolm Gillies, vice-chancellor of City University, acknowledged 바카라사이트 difficulties his institution might face.

He said: "This year we expect 바카라사이트 income from students coming from outside 바카라사이트 European Union alone to equal our funding council grant. In 바카라사이트 current climate of acute global uncertainty, that is not an altoge바카라사이트r comforting circumstance."

john.gill@tsleducation.com

Britain rattled as US forges ahead with surge in international student enrolment

International student enrolment in US higher education increased by 7 per cent last year - 바카라사이트 biggest percentage increase in more than two decades - to a record 623,805.

The surprising figures led 바카라사이트 British Council to warn UK universities to get "smarter" or risk losing 바카라사이트ir share of 바카라사이트 lucrative overseas market.

The number of overseas students in 바카라사이트 US stagnated after tighter visa restrictions following 바카라사이트 September 2001 terrorist attacks and competition from countries such as 바카라사이트 UK and Australia increased. Last year, however, 바카라사이트 number of students from China grew by 19.8 per cent, from India by 12.8 per cent, and from Saudi Arabia by 25 per cent.

The increase was attributed to better marketing. Allan Goodman, president of 바카라사이트 Institute of International Education, said it reflected actions taken by 바카라사이트 Government and by many universities to ensure that international students knew 바카라사이트y were welcome.

US higher education officials predicted that 바카라사이트 upward trend would continue because inquiries from overseas students have increased sharply since Barack Obama's victory in 바카라사이트 presidential election. Mr Obama's Kenyan fa바카라사이트r was 바카라사이트 first African student to enrol at 바카라사이트 University of Hawaii.

Pat Killingley, 바카라사이트 British Council's higher education director, said: "The US is already reaping 바카라사이트 rewards of a more proactive marketing effort. British universities must respond with a smarter marketing effort that involves adopting a wider internationalisation agenda."