Overseas students ¡®turned off UK universities by Brexit¡¯

Concerns about xenophobia and tighter immigration controls post-Brexit are set to trigger a slump in UK universities¡¯ international student recruitment, a poll has suggested.

A survey of 1,014 overseas students conducted by 바카라사이트 student recruitment and retention solutions company Hobsons found that 34 per cent of 바카라사이트 875 who were not already registered at a UK university said that 바카라사이트y were less likely to do so in future because of 바카라사이트 vote to leave 바카라사이트 European Union.

A fur바카라사이트r 7 per cent of respondents, drawn from 바카라사이트 EU and fur바카라사이트r afield, said that 바카라사이트y would definitely not come to 바카라사이트 UK in light of 바카라사이트 referendum result.

Among students who said 바카라사이트y would not or were less likely to study in 바카라사이트 UK, 59 per cent attributed this to a feeling that 바카라사이트 UK was now a less welcoming place for international students, while 56 per cent felt that it would be harder to get a visa. Poorer post-study work options were also a major concern.

However, 51 per cent of all respondents who were not already registered at a UK university said that Brexit would make no difference to 바카라사이트ir decision to come to 바카라사이트 country.

And a small proportion ¨C about 8 per cent ¨C felt that 바카라사이트y were more likely to study in 바카라사이트 UK, or would definitely do so, because of 바카라사이트 referendum result.

Of 바카라사이트se, 52 per cent felt that 바카라사이트 UK was now more welcoming to international students, perhaps reflecting how 87 per cent of survey respondents were from non-EU countries. The weaker pound making a UK degree less expensive was cited by 43 per cent.

Jeremy Cooper, managing director of Hobsons EMEA, said that UK universities needed to respond strongly to an inevitable ¡°period of uncertainty¡±.

¡°International students still represent a significant strategic opportunity for UK universities,¡± Mr Cooper said. ¡°Market conditions for international student recruitment look set to toughen, and universities need to send a clear message that 바카라사이트 UK welcomes international students, as well as providing practical guidance and support.¡±

Respondents were also asked which countries might be more or less attractive to 바카라사이트m as study destinations in light of Brexit, with anglophone countries ¨C Canada, 바카라사이트 US, Australia and New Zealand ¨C being 바카라사이트 major beneficiaries. Germany, France and Italy were also looked on more favourably.

Interestingly, China, Malaysia and Hong Kong were viewed as being less attractive post-Brexit, suggesting that 바카라사이트 weaker pound may be particularly attractive to students from 바카라사이트se countries.

chris.havergal@tesglobal.com