UK universities are recruiting a record number of international student enrolment during this global pandemic situation. The Universities and College Admission Services (UCAS) claimed that British universities are appointing international scholars at a rate of more than 9% higher than before. Moreover, most of these students are at their undergraduate level and are outside of the EU.
UCAS’s research shows that more than 1,00,000 foreign undergraduate students are coming to the UK. Additionally, remainder and postgraduate students apply directly to individual universities rather than through the admission service.
In the United Kingdom (UK), international students contribute £28.8 billion to countries’ cash boxes. British universities generate economic activity worth £390 for each person in the UK each year, rising to more than £700 for every inhabitant of London because of the one-year intake of international students.
It is possible that unfavourable attitudes about the United States have had a role in the redoubling of efforts by institutions in the United Kingdom (UK) to recruit foreign students from other countries. In addition, there are still areas of the country that have not been treated for the Coronavirus, and potential competitors in New Zealand and Australia have not opened their doors to foreign students.
The admissions staff of the institution are also rejoicing over the fact that there is a record number of first-year undergraduate students arriving from countries all over the globe. Mr. Hillman, head of the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), said that “The numbers obviously tell a very good tale.” [Citation needed] Because there are so few viable options to receiving more education at the moment, it was always obvious that domestic demand would increase, despite the decline in the number of 18-year-olds.
Furthermore, 2,72,000 students from outside the UK who enrolled at British universities, in 2018-2019 would generate almost £26bn in net economic activity once the costs of teaching support and their use of public services had been accounted for.
David Richardson, the vice president of the University of East Anglia, said that the number of students from EU countries had decreased by fifty percent in 2021. However, he also remarked that pupils from non-European countries were getting very close to returning to their Pre-Covid levels. In addition, the government of the United Kingdom said that it was actively seeking to increase the number of overseas students studying in the country.
According to 2019/20, there were 5,38,615 foreign students studying in the UK. This means that a large number of international students are flying to the UK outside of the EU. The United States took 26% of all higher education students who were studying overseas at universities in the OECD in the year 2017. On the other hand, the UK was in second place and obtained 12%.
Given the uncertainty caused by Brexit and the shenanigans that have been going on, specialists have predicted from the very beginning that the number of EU members would decrease. On the other hand, nobody could have anticipated such a significant rise in the number of non-EU foreign students, and we now need to watch and wait to see whether all of them will really come and then continue their studies.
UK universities that recruited the highest number of international student enrolment during this global pandemic are:
The UK has seen strong growth in international student enrolment in recent years, with record numbers of students choosing to study in the country. This trend is expected to continue, with more and more students recognizing the high quality of education and research opportunities available in the UK.
| University/ College | EU | Non-EU | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| University College London | 4930 | 13,060 | 17,990 |
| The University of Manchester | 2,785 | 10,965 | 13,750 |
| The University of Edinburgh | 3,725 | 8,300 | 12,025 |
| King’s College London | 4,080 | 7,095 | 11,175 |
| The University of Glasgow | 3,175 | 5,640 | 8,815 |
| The University of Oxford | 2,640 | 5,570 | 8,210 |
| The University of Cambridge | 2,635 | 4,415 | 7,050 |
| The University of Westminster | 2,285 | 4,090 | 6,375 |
| The University of Aberdeen | 2,865 | 1,915 | 4,780 |
| The University of York | 890 | 3,185 | 4,075 |
The country’s universities and colleges have also made efforts to attract international students, with many offering scholarships and other financial support to help make studying in the UK more accessible. Overall, the growth in international student enrolment is a positive development for the UK, as it not only brings in much-needed revenue for the education sector, but also helps to create a diverse and culturally rich learning environment for all students.
