Each week, a range of reports and research are published by think tanks, HEIs, and other organisations to drive further understanding to issues and concerns within the HE sector. This week, we have selected two for the Weekly Focus:
- The Chartered Association of Business School’s UK Business Schools and International Student Recruitment: Trends, challenges and the case for change (published 10 March 2016)
- The 2016 Sodexo University in partnership with THE Lifestyle Survey (published 10 March 2016)
The CABS publication comes at an important time, as the THE European University Rankings indicate UK universities hold a quarter of the spots out of 200 European universities. The publication reports:
- ‘Around one-eighth of universities’ income comes from international students’ tuition fees. They contribute over £7 billion to the economy per year through their fees and off-campus expenditure, and more still through the jobs created in the regions around universities. Both in terms of financial contribution and by creating a global culture on campus, these students are a valuable asset to our universities and to UK plc.’
- ‘Over 90% definitely or mostly agree that ‘Changes to post-study work visa availability has had a negative impact on international student recruitment’. Nearly 90% also definitely or mostly agree that ‘Reporting of government policy has had a negative impact on international student recruitment’.’
- ‘Visa issues are further highlighted by 80% of business schools, which definitely or mostly agree that‘Processing student visa applications by UK authorities has had a negative impact on international student recruitment’.’
- ‘More than 70% of respondents to the survey definitely or mostly agree that ‘Support for business schools in other countries by their governments has made them more attractive to international students’’
- ‘One area of growth for UK business schools in recent years has been delivering programmes outside of the UK. Among the schools in the study 43% now deliver programmes outside the UK either on their own international campuses or through partnerships that deliver transnational education.’
- ‘Six countries were identified by schools as supplying the largest number of international students – China, India, Japan, Nigeria, Pakistan and Singapore. However, 86% of the schools responding identified China as being their largest source of international students. The second most important source of international students was India, identified by 33% of business schools, with 13.9% each selecting Malaysia and Nigeria.’
- ‘In the study, 6% of responding business schools admitted that they automatically reject students from particular countries because of anticipated visa problems, although 76% do not, and with the remainder unclear.’
- ‘Just short of 90% definitely or mostly agreed that ‘We need to do more work to effectively target international students’ and just over 90% agreed that ‘Greater involvement of our global alumni would help us recruit more international students.”
The Sodexo-THE report says that over half of students do not feel that their course was worth the financial cost. While overall students are happy with their quality of life at HE, the recent scrapping of maintenance fees alongside increasing tuition fees will have major implications, it reports. The key findings from the report are:
- 71% list increasing employment opportunities as a main reason for attending HE
- 53% hope a degree will increase their future salaries
- 56% are motivated by the goal to increase their knowledge of a particular subject
- 66% believe they will finish their degrees with debts of over £20,000 (in 2011 only 30% had believed this)
- 1 in 5 have said if maintenance grants were not available, they would have postponed their studies
- 18% said they would not have applied without maintenance grants
- The so-called “bank of mum and dad” is still vital, with 49% dependent on handouts from their parents; 9% looking to grandparents or other relatives
- 28% work in term-time
- 46% say having a positive experience at open day was critical to university selecting process
- 33% say that university campus attractiveness matters
- 38% care about the friendliness of the campus atmosphere
- 27% say that the university’s role in arranging internships and work placements was important
- 28% found the institutions study/IT facilities or social scene important
- 53% say that they did not think their university offered value for money
- 53% feel there is a long-term career benefit in becoming a graduate
- 59% say they were happy with contact time
- 34% say they did not have enough lectures or lessons
- 85% say they are broadly satisfied with their quality of life as a student in both academic and social terms
These two reports are critical to understanding the UK HE’s future both for UK students and international students. With large changes to UK HE architecture and landscape lying ahead, and Government making rapid changes to students costs and international student opportunities, the HE sector must stay tuned so they may voice their expert opinions and perceptions, ensuring they actively help shape the future of HE.