EAIE, International students: cash cows or agents for change?
The future of HE is intrinsically tied to the push towards internationalisation. A main component of internationalisation is the export of HE, which involves securing contracts for the UK’s education providers overseas, as well as strategies to attract overseas students to study at our UK institutions.
One of the main questions concerning many European welfare states is whether international students should pay tuition fees, or whether the Government should continue bearing the cost of their education. The debate is rooted in the value we believe international students bring to our universities and countries. Alongside contributions such as providing diversity and international perspectives, or advancing cultural and global competences in our students, there is their unquestionable economic contribution to the national economy.
France, for example, has recognised that international students bring €4.5bn annually, which remains a net positive of €1.5bn after government costs of covering their tuition fees are subtracted. In the UK, international students pay a substantial fee for the privilege of a UK education, and equally contribute significantly to the UK economy. Over the past months, we have heard from many significant departments, organisations and individuals who have commented in support of the huge economical, social, cultural or innovative benefits these individuals bring to the UK. However, our Government continues to damage the UK’s reputation within the global HE marketplace by introducing unwelcoming policies and practices.
While the question is not whether the UK should consider funding international students, the discussion opened by European welfare countries allows us to revisit how important international students are, without immediately putting a price-tag on them.