Tuition fees for international students in the United Kingdom (UK) might go up because of rising costs.
This news was shared by the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson.
On the other hand, fees for UK students probably won’t change. The last big fee increase for them was in 2012 and 2017.
Bridget also said that universities in England having money problems should not rely on getting help from the government. This is despite warnings about job cuts, course closures, and possible bankruptcies.
The new Labour government will continue the graduate route, which lets international students stay in the UK to work or look for work after they graduate.
Phillipson talked about the positive impact international students have on the local economy. She said these students have ‘soft power’ and help spread a good image of the UK when they return to their home countries.
“The Conservatives were always looking for fights with universities and using them for cheap headlines. That is over now, but we need proper rules,” she added.
Why Tuition Fees Are Going Up
Tuition fees might increase because UK universities are facing money problems. This issue has gotten a lot of attention, with 66 universities—more than a third of them—cutting jobs and courses.
“Universities manage their own budgets. They should not rely on taxpayers,” Phillipson indicated. “We need better rules to keep universities stable,” she said.
Why UK Study Visa Applications Dropped
Earlier this year, fewer people applied for UK study visas. This happened because the government stopped master’s students from bringing their families with them.
The UK’s reputation as a study destination was also hurt by changes to the Graduate Route and negative talk about immigration and international students.
“The biggest problem for universities this year has been the drop in student numbers,” said Viviene Stern, head of Universities UK. “The government needs to say clearly that international students are welcome and that the graduate route will stay,” she added.
UK university money issues are being talked about more and more in the media. For example, the Sunday Times called the situation a “catastrophe” that has made 66 universities, more than a third, cut jobs and courses.
Universities UK, which speaks for 142 institutions, said around 70 universities are cutting costs by reducing jobs and courses. For example, Goldsmiths, University of London, is letting go of 97 people. Other affected universities include Lincoln, Huddersfield, and Central Lancashire. Nearly all universities might have to make cuts by the end of the year.
Student Numbers Depend on Countries Like Nigeria
Newslodge wrote that the real value of student fees has dropped because of inflation.
- Because of this, universities are trying to get more students from countries like Nigeria, China, and India.
- But this has been hard because of new rules stopping students from bringing their families and the devaluation of Nigeria’s currency, which makes things financially unstable for universities.
- Fewer students from Nigeria might come if tuition fees go up.