Foreign Students in British Higher Education

There are more than 90 universities and 50 higher education colleges in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scotland has got nearly 21 institutes of higher education. The higher education institutions in the UK offer more than 20,000 postgraduate courses.



At present there are about 300,000 overseas students studying in the UK. Many scientific studies have also predicted that with the increase in the global market of international students, the students' preferences to study in the UK would rise up by three times than before by 2020. It has become a major economic consideration for the British universities to accommodate overseas students.



British universities charge higher fees for the overseas students than their British counterparts, thereby the funds brought into the UK universities, are nearly £4bn a year. The British universities are gaining much through the admissions of the overseas students. The Government is also planning to invest around £27m in the education sector in order to attract more number of foreign students. The universities in the UK are also looking out for more research projects that are on sharing basis, joint degrees, shared courses, more and more exchange of students and academicians between the universities in the UK as well as from other countries.



No one could deny the increasing economic contribution made by the foreign students in the UK; that is why the institutions and government officials including the Prime Minister are in favour of promoting the Universities to attract more and more foreign students.



However, various concerns have also been raised by a section of academicians and others stating that universities should not pass on their burden on the shoulders of the overseas students. They also feel that the universities must not be dependent on the fees being paid by the outside students; rather they must work hard to make sure that the UK universities continue to provide the best services in the field of education for the brilliant students all over the world.



Overseas students in the UK are also getting the opportunity to work, during the course of their graduation. The records show that more than half of the foreign students are doing part-time jobs in the country. If the students opt for the courses that are of more than six months duration, then they will be given a passport sticker that would allow them to work on part-time basis, i.e., not more than 20 hours a week plus a full time during vacations. Though they are allowed to work, they should not show their part-time jobs as a source of funding for their studies in the UK.



The British universities are very much looking at the foreign students as a source of income as they pay high tuition fees. It is also estimated that by 2020, the overseas students could contribute £20bn to the country's economy. As they pay higher than the home students, they have every right to get the best standards, so it is the duty of the universities that, besides increasing the competitive market for overseas students, they should work hard to maintain their status as the best partners in the international higher education.



Many overseas students are depending on their home governments, research councils and charities for the funding aspects. Structure of fees for the overseas students and also other expenses may prevent some of them from studying in the UK because, apart from paying the tuition fees, they should also bear the living costs, transport and food expenses. The government has also started charging students for visa renewals. Many of the universities in the UK feel unhappy over the move because, as already the fees are high, the visa renewal charges would add fuel to the fire. On the whole, it would give an impression that the UK is not serious about attracting the foreign students. As the overseas students contribute a lot to the UK economy, the government is taking several steps to change the scenario.



However, though there are some shortcomings, it is undeniable that the British universities are the pioneers in higher education and that the foreign students would have bright prospects after they have completed their degrees in the UK.







James Walsh is a freelance writer and copy editor. If you are a UK or Overseas student applying for a place in a UK University, to stand out from the thousands of others, it is essential to have striking Personal Statement, for more information and professional guidance, see http://www.personal-statement.co.uk