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| Image Credit: The Guardian |
It is observed that UK's Higher Education is facing severe recruitment and
financial pressure due to which University of York has told staff to adopt more
flexible approach while admitting overseas students. This may include the
students with lower-than expected grades.
The Guardian quoted in its report the Financial Times, that
the staff at the Russell Group university were told, “In response to the
current financial challenges, the university has decided to lower its tariff
for all departments and programmes for overseas applicants,”.
What Changes May Occur in the York’s Revised Admission Policy?
Previously, offer for undergraduate applicants required A
grades at A-level while the university will now admit some international
applicants as undergraduates with the equivalent grades of B or C at A-level.
Similarly, entry to postgraduate courses would require a 2:2
award or similar, rather than a 2:1.
According to the spokesperson for York, “the move would
bring international student admissions into line with the approach it used for
UK students.”
Limited Visas but Increased Reliance of British Universities over International Students
Universities in England increasingly rely on income from international
student fees while having seen tuition fees frozen for domestic students since
2016, and those in Scotland facing cuts in national government funding.
On the other hand, UK government is aiming to reduce the
number of visas issued to international students due to limit immigrations.
In the ongoing year, the government has removed the ability
for many overseas students to be accompanied by their family members.
According to the spokesperson for the University of York, “The
university has not lowered its entry grades for international students and they
remain as advertised.”
He continued that “The change in ‘tariff’ refers to a more
flexible approach we are adopting to international offer-holders who miss their
grades. We already take a flexible approach for home students after we receive
their results.”
He further explained, “This enables us to remain
competitive in a global market. It also allows us to take context and
individual circumstances into account. This is important for both UK and
international students, as we recognise that inequalities of place and
background limit opportunities to evidence ability and potential.”
York’s spokesperson said that it had put extra resources, such as additional maths support, in place for all students who are joining us with grades lower than their offer.
UK Higher Education’s Concern over Australia Canada:
Many of the universities in UK were quoted as saying that they
had had difficulties recruiting more international students due to government’s
policies, and also in the face of increased competition from rivals such as
Canada and Australia.
Remarks of Universities upon Losses:
Coventry University is one of the latest who have recorded protest
while stating in its annual report last month, “The UK government’s response
to issues around migration and the economy in recent months has had an impact
on the group’s recruitment of international students.”
According to the Russell Group universities, they lose on
average about £2,500 in teaching UK undergraduates for fees frozen at £9,250 a
year. As a result, many have increased international student numbers, whose
fees are not capped and can be £10,000 or more higher than domestic fees.
In 2022-23, according to financial statement of University
College London’s tuition fee income went up by 17%, to £929m, “with the rise
almost exclusively driven by growth in the full-time international student base”,
reported The Guardian.
Same is the case with University of Liverpool which accepted last
year an extra 1,500 overseas students compared with 2021-22, boosting its
international tuition fee income from £113m to £151m – close to eclipsing the
£165m it made in UK and EU student fees.
The income of institutions such as the Open University, which
rely more on UK students, have been hit. The Open University recorded an
operating deficit of £25m last year, but claimed in addition, an underlying
surplus if pensions and other long-term costs were excluded.
The Guardian also reported while quoting the Open University,
“The cost of living crisis and student behaviours post-pandemic meant a
reversal of the growth in student numbers seen in recent years,” adding
that it expected a further decline in student numbers this year.
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