Failing U.K. universities rely on Indian student fees to cut deficit Premium
Chart 1 shows the share of universities in the U.K. that recorded a deficit over the years. In 2021-22, as many as 60% of the universities were in deficit. This came down to 33% in 2022-23, which was still almost double of what it was in 2015-16. Persistent deficit indicates that the universities are not generating funds to invest and innovate.
Chart 2 shows the share of foreign students (non-U.K., non European Union) in the total enrolment and their share in the total fees collected (in %). Both the share of foreign students and their share in total fees have steadily gone up over the years, pointing to an increasing reliance on them.
Chart 3 shows the annual inflow of new students, region/country-wise. With over 1.25 lakh entrants in 2022-23, the number of Indian students surpassed the number of students from China for the first time in at least two decades to constitute the highest share in the country. This means that the disproportionate financial burden on foreign students is borne mostly by Indians.
Chart 4 shows the university-wise number of Indian students enrolled in 2022-23. The bigger and darker the circle, the higher the number of Indians. The circles on the right are better ranked on The Guardian University Guide’s 2024 rankings.
Clearly, the number of Indians who joined universities in the bottom half of the rankings (49%) is higher than those who joined universities in the top half (41%). The rest 10% of Indians joined universities that were not ranked. Only 4% of Indians joined the universities in the top 10 ranks.
The share of students with expired visas was even higher at over 80% in the years before. With the option of getting a visa for an ‘indefinite leave to remain’ (right to live, work and study in the U.K. for as long as they like) also becoming scarce, the options for Indian students appear bleak.
sambavi.p@thehindu.co.in
vignesh.r@thehindu.co.in
Source: U.K.’s Higher Education Statistics Agency, the migrant journey report 2023 and The Guardian’s University Guide 2024
Published - October 17, 2024 07:00 am IST
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