Last year UK universities invested a substantial £28 million in scholarship programme agents’ fees to secure the enrollment of international students[^1]. This financial strategy is part of a broader effort to maintain the United Kingdom’s position as the second-largest host country for international students globally, with over 550,000 students hosted in 2022[^1]. The influx of international students has seen a dramatic increase of 179% since the 2019/20 academic year[^1].
The reliance on international students has become more pronounced following Brexit, which led to a 40% decline in European students studying in the UK[^1]. Consequently, universities have turned their focus further afield, with a significant proportion of these students originating from China and India[^1]. International students are not only vital for cultural diversity but also for their economic contribution, accounting for at least 30% of UK universities’ income[^1]. In fact, the economic benefit of international students was estimated at £41.9 billion for the 2021/22 academic year[^1].
The UK Government has set an ambitious target to increase the total number of international students to 600,000 by 2030, a milestone that was met for the first time in the 2020/21 academic year[^1]. Scholarship programmes play a crucial role in attracting these students, with initiatives like Chevening and the Commonwealth scholarship boasting budgets of £22 million and £28 million per year, respectively[^1].
Despite the strategic importance of international students, there have been concerns about the sustainability of this reliance, particularly in light of the reduced number of EU students post-Brexit[^1]. Nevertheless, universities such as the University of Edinburgh continue to foster international partnerships and maintain a global outlook, as emphasized by a university spokesperson[^1].
Suggested Reading:
[https://studentnewspaper.org/uk-universities-spend-millions-to-secure-international-students/]
