Harry Anderson, deputy director at Universities UK International (UUKi), said: “The UK is a leading destination for international students, reflecting the strength and reputation of our higher education sector.
A fall in international students applying for visas risks prolonging the existential threat facing some of England’s universities, sources in higher education say, amid warnings that an increase in tuition fees has already been “wiped out” by the government’s tax rises.
Despite the decision by ministers to increase fees for UK students this year to £9,535 – the first rise in eight years – figures across the universities sector said the financial situation remained dire, with further course closures and redundancies being widely considered.
“Universities will need to reassure the public that international recruitment does not mean that home students lose out and that local pressures – for example, on housing – are being well managed by universities and local authorities.”.
Ben Moore of the Russell Group of universities said the popularity of Britain with international students “should be seen as a genuine UK success story”.
