It is no secret British universities are struggling with funding at the moment. The costs of education are rising while the number of students keeps on falling. Yet the UK is home to several of the world’s leading universities, making it an attractive destination to study in, so this might seem a little puzzling. However, it suffices to look at certain recent political developments and many not-so-recent ones, such as the infamous Brexit, to see why it is becoming harder and harder for many to study here. Especially the number of students from abroad, who have been covering a big share of university costs, is dropping steadily thanks to regulations that are rather unfriendly towards anyone considered an outsider.
A slow way from the top
The UK used to be a sought-after study destination for many international students, who represented a significant contribution to the overall diversity and boosted the economy. It used to be especially attractive for European students back in the days of EU when they could still benefit from the same conditions as British nationals. Thanks to the possibility of free movement and manageable study expenses, even people from lower-income backgrounds could afford the tuition fees, and the number of applications was on the rise.
What happened then?
Due to the easy availability of higher education, competition eroded and the number of students exceeded the number of places available. Reform was needed. However the response of the government addressed the wrong issues. The 2012 reforms following the 2011 White Paper decided to radically change the way education was paid for by abolishing taxpayer support for lecturers, mainly in the fields of social sciences and the arts. This marks the first step in the downward spiral as even the raised costs of tuition could not cover the losses universities had to face.
Cutting ties with the EU … and its students
Brexit was a heartbreaking moment for many people. Not only did it dash the hopes of remaining an integrated part of Europe, but it also dealt a heavy blow to the economic and political ties that have been built over decades. Among many other things it also took away the opportunity of studying abroad not only for the home students wanting to experience another country but also for students from abroad hoping to study in the UK.
Due to changes in policies, students coming from the EU are no longer eligible for home fees or student loans available to British students, but have to pay international student fees that can reach up to £38,000 a year, depending on their choice of university and study course. This made studying in the UK a rather dire prospect for many, especially with other universities all over Europe boasting much more affordable prices.
The result is that many bright students who could have contributed to the UK end up looking for university options elsewhere. The Higher Education Statistics Agency shows that the number of EU students after Brexit dropped by a half. Those numbers speak louder than the dissatisfied voices.
A nail in the coffin
A final restraint on the number of students came at the beginning of 2024 when the government attempted to limit the number of migrants. The change put into place banned international students from bringing dependants with them, unless they are studying on postgraduate research courses or government-funded courses. Three full years of study without being able to bring your family or partner is a lonely and unappealing outlook, and accordingly, it caused a drop in the number of student applications. Since international students are charged higher fees, the decrease in their numbers deepens the financial crisis universities have slid into.
Others gain from our losses
While the UK is steadily losing students, other countries are benefitting from this. Many students are turning to Ireland as a suitable option because of the favourable study conditions it is offering. What it also provides is the experience of studying in an English-speaking country, which is what had attracted many students to the UK before the restrictions came into place. Many other European universities act as capable competition offering full courses taught in English.
While the government is busy gloating over their successful solutions in cutting down on migration and severing their ties with the EU, what they’re failing to see is that international students provided a large amount of funding for universities that will continue to struggle without them. And it is not only funding they should be worried about. The harsh post-Brexit conditions have negatively impacted diversity in the UK, significantly lessening the number of EU students. The new restrictions now in place will repeat this process, and this time UK is bound to lose even more.
