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UNIVERSITIES WARN: UK STUDENT NUMBERS SET TO FALL

The number of undergraduate students in higher education in the UK looks set to fall in the next decade and beyond, according to a report by Universities UK.

Their projections show a decline of 4.6% in the number of British students at university in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with England alone showing a moderate increase. This amounts to 70,000 undergraduate places over a 22 year period, roughly the amount of students in Liverpool.

The soaring financial cost of university is highlighted as an important reason for this drop in enrolment, as school leavers are deterred by the prospect of a lifetime of debt and instead look for immediate employment or cheaper part-time degree courses. Added to this is the predicted fall in the number of 18-20 year olds in the UK and across, reducing the demand for higher education.

Other figures show a steady increase of international and part-time students by 4%, which would go some way to compensate for declining interest from British students.

International students bring diversity and considerable financial benefits to universities and the report emphasizes the need to continue to attract them. Sir Muir Russell, Vice-President of Universities UK said “We expect to see an increase in international students over this period and we must ensure the UK remains an attractive destination for them.”

The report was formed on the basis that current policies remain the same, however, and recognizes that political developments concerning global issues like terrorism and the environment could adversely effect international involvement.

This marks the first phase of an extensive project by Universities UK into the challenges facing British higher education and they remain optimistic. Sir Russell comments; “Our universities are in an excellent position to prepare for such fluctuations, but it is crucial that future government policy takes these demographic projections into account.”

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