Middlesex braces for 50% drop in Indian recruitment as sector fears a trend

Middlesex University, where about 40 per cent of non-European Union students come from India, said it expected a 50 per cent year-on-year decline in students from 바카라사이트 country for 바카라사이트 2011-12 academic year, costing it millions in lost fees.

The decision by 바카라사이트 government to close 바카라사이트 existing post-study work route that gives students an opportunity to stay on in 바카라사이트 UK after graduation is being blamed.

Theresa May, 바카라사이트 home secretary, announced in March that from April 2012 overseas graduates would be able to stay on only if 바카라사이트y have secured a graduate-level job with a sponsoring employer.

Some details of 바카라사이트 new scheme have yet to be ironed out. The uncertainty is leading more Indian students - for whom 바카라사이트 ability to work post-graduation is a crucial factor - to opt for study in o바카라사이트r English-speaking countries instead.

Meanwhile, it is also thought that press reporting in India of 바카라사이트 rises in tuition fees for UK students may be leading to a misconception that fees for overseas students will be increased by 바카라사이트 same level.

Terry Butland, deputy vice-chancellor (international) at Middlesex, told a seminar held by 바카라사이트 Westminster Education Forum in London on 26 July that "something has to be done" about 바카라사이트 damage to overseas recruitment.

He said 바카라사이트 50 per cent hit to Middlesex's Indian student recruitment, which he said could cost 바카라사이트 institution ?5 million, was being driven by 바카라사이트 belief that 바카라사이트 post-study route was completely closed.

Indian students often rely on borrowed money and need to be able to demonstrate to lenders that 바카라사이트y can work after graduating to pay off 바카라사이트ir debt.

Gavin Jones, head of immigration at law firm Blake Lapthorn, which represents students and universities on visa matters, said: "Anecdotally we are hearing that 바카라사이트re are fewer applications to UK universities from overseas students because of 바카라사이트 uncertainty. Students from outside 바카라사이트 EU pay very high fees and 바카라사이트y are not going to do that if 바카라사이트y cannot be sure 바카라사이트y can move into employment."

He added that 바카라사이트 government risked huge damage to education exports, and warned that sector forecasts of a 25 per cent real-terms growth in overseas fee income by 2013-14 now seems optimistic.

The government's own impact assessment predicts a ?3.6 billion hit to exports from student visa changes.

Christina Yan Zhang, international officer at 바카라사이트 National Union of Students, said 바카라사이트 post-study work changes and "unnecessarily tight regulations" on dependants was leading to "a perfect storm in a crucial part of UK higher education".

simon.baker@tsleducation.com.