Somto BisinaThe International Higher Education Commission, in collaboration with Oxford International Education Group, has recently released a report that sheds light on the state of international education provided by UK institutions.
Titled “International Education Strategy 2.0,” the report serves as a critical evaluation of the UK’s 2019 International Education strategy.
Chairing the Commission, the Rt Hon Chris Skidmore, MP, highlights the pressing need to develop an optimal approach for the upcoming International Education Strategy.
Concerns have arisen regarding the current strategy, its implications for the sector and stakeholders, and potential policy changes regarding international student visas.
Given the evolving geopolitical landscape since 2019, there are speculations that these policy announcements may not align with the significant social and economic role played by UK higher education.
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Skidmore stresses that the data collected for the report unequivocally indicates that now is not the time for complacency. While the current high numbers of international students are largely influenced by specific circumstances, they are unlikely to be sustainable in the long run.
Notably, during the 2020/21 academic year, international enrollments in the UK exceeded the target of 600,000 set for 2030 in the International Education Strategy, achieving this milestone ten years ahead of schedule.
Several threats to the resilience of the UK’s international education sector are identified by Skidmore. These include shifting sending markets with a decline in students from the EU and an increase from non-European countries.
The report also highlights a significant loss of diversity in these sending markets, as well as a greater reliance on India and a less predictable Chinese market. Disruptions in the “research talent pipeline” have led to a decline in undergraduate and postgraduate enrollments.
The rising popularity of one-year master’s programs, which incur higher recruitment costs for international students, is another concern.
Additionally, non-completion rates among students are increasing, accommodation costs are on the rise, and there is a lack of consistent data and data collection systems for informed decision-making regarding international student recruitment.
Skidmore emphasizes the necessity for robust data that can effectively showcase the vital role of international students within the broader UK higher education infrastructure. The potential challenges faced by the UK’s education system would be substantial if international enrollments were to decline significantly.
The report highlights several threats to the resilience of the UK’s international education sector. This includes the incorrect assumption that other markets will offset the decline in enrollments from the EU and China. The stagnant growth in international enrollments from 2012 to 2019 due to strict post-study work policies and subsequent reversal of policies in 2019 is also noted.
The report highlights that international enrollments are now less diverse than in the past, with China and India accounting for a significant percentage of all international enrollments. Moreover, the growth in international enrollments for one-year master’s degrees and the associated increased costs pose further challenges. The report emphasizes the vulnerability of programs if enrollments fall, as international students cannot simply replace domestic students.
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