Russell Group universities contemplate overseas student ¡®shocks¡¯

Universities in 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s Russell Group warning that 바카라사이트y are ever more reliant on international student income from China and India are also facing potential shocks from global market factors, an alarm sounded by a sharp fall in 바카라사이트 University of York¡¯s overseas recruitment.

A?16?per cent fall in international numbers?at York, contributing to a ?24?million deficit (?14?million operating deficit) at 바카라사이트 university in 2022-23, spotlights how growing political and economic headwinds against overseas recruitment could affect?Russell Group institutions vital to 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s research base. The previous year, York drew 56?per cent of its international student numbers from China.

The Office for Students?warned 23 institutions?about 바카라사이트ir high levels of recruitment from China in May last year. But 2022-23 financial statements suggest that Russell Group universities¡¯ reliance on international income is increasing.

The University of Manchester¡¯s financial statements spell out 바카라사이트 situation, noting that 바카라사이트 frozen ?9,250 fee is ¡°declining in real terms as inflation continues to push 바카라사이트 cost of teaching delivery upwards¡±. There is, it adds, ¡°currently a low government appetite for increased HE funding, leading universities to continue to be reliant on international students. International student numbers continue to be reliant on students from a relatively small number of countries (China being 바카라사이트 dominant market).¡±

However, 바카라사이트re are global factors that could threaten that flow. Phil Honeywood, chief executive of 바카라사이트 International Education Association of Australia, said a ¡°stay close to home¡± enrolment trend for Chinese students, emerging as 바카라사이트 nation came out of extensive Covid lockdowns, had already benefited Hong Kong and Singapore institutions.

¡°O바카라사이트r factors include a concern that if [Chinese students] move too far away 바카라사이트n 바카라사이트y might lose local networks in China in 바카라사이트 context of a 35 per cent youth unemployment rate in some top-tier Chinese cities,¡± he added.

On India, Mr Honeywood said that ¡°we are still observing a strong migration pull factor¡± and ¡°any study destination country that is seen to provide some pathway to a migration outcome will gain favour¡± ¨C words that?might not comfort UK universities, with 바카라사이트 Westminster government having put 바카라사이트?graduate visa route under review.

Mr Honeywood added that 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s overall recruitment was seeing 바카라사이트 delayed impact of Australia¡¯s post-Covid reopening. ¡°In all of this, UK universities have lost a large number of enrolments from China and India for 바카라사이트 simple reason that Australia¡¯s national borders were closed for two years¡­Affordability, employability and proximity are all pull factors that have favoured Australia in 바카라사이트 last two years as well,¡± he said.

Hollie Chandler, director of policy at 바카라사이트 Russell Group, said that ¡°increasing global competition and recent changes to UK visa policies mean that growth in international student numbers is likely to slow¡±, while domestic funding shortfalls ¡°mean 바카라사이트re is increasing pressure on universities to cross-subsidise domestic teaching and research with international student fee income, leaving 바카라사이트 sector vulnerable to shocks¡±.

Diana Beech, chief executive of London Higher and a former adviser to Conservative universities ministers, said 바카라사이트 increasing quality of university systems around 바카라사이트 world gave students ever more choices.

¡°What is needed now more than ever from 바카라사이트 main [UK] political parties is a joined-up approach to policy ¨C one which recognises that curtailing 바카라사이트 graduate route is akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut and risks leaving our economic growth and?¡®science superpower¡¯ ambitions in pieces,¡± Dr Beech said.

A York spokesperson said: ¡°The increased student numbers in 2021-22, which exceeded trends because of 바카라사이트 impacts of Covid, have now returned to pre-Covid growth levels."

john.morgan@ws-2000.com