UNIVERSITIES THREATENED BY DECLINE IN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT NUMBERS

12.40.11pm UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Feb 2005

A Government decision to hike visa charges for international students - to a level well above the actual administrative cost of processing their applications - is threatening Britain's ability to compete in the international higher education market.

This was David Rendel MP's message to Ministers during today's Education questions in the House of Commons.

Commenting Mr Rendel said:

"International students contribute 7% of the UK higher education budget. If their numbers continue to drop, there will be more pressure from universities to hike top-up fees up still higher.

"By imposing these visa charges, the Home office is being deeply irresponsible, and it is extraordinary that the Department for Education has connived in the policy rather than standing up for the interests of UK education.

"Britain's share of the international education market is worth £10 billion to the UK economy. We cannot afford to put that at risk."

ENDS

NOTES:

1) The Chancellor, Gordon Brown, says that education services are becoming "one of our greatest export earners" - worth £10 billion today, and could rise to £20 billion by 2020 (Speech in Beijing, 20 February). International students contribute 7% of the UK higher education budget.

2) UCAS reports a 5% drop in applications from international students. According to Universities UK, 40% of universities report a fall in international student recruitment this year and the rest say numbers are static.

3) The Council for International Students reports concerns from international students that visa costs are making the UK a less attractive destination for their studies.