Universities in the United Kingdom are contemplating reducing courses over the reduction of foreign students enrollment, which has started affecting the funding of different institutions.
According to a recent report in The Times, university leaders have revealed that the loss of one-third of foreign students has threatened to push institutions into loss, compelling them to make “really difficult” cuts like closing entire courses, reducing teaching staff and so on.
While talking to The Times, John Rushforth, the Executive Secretary of the University Chairs Committee, said: “I have been in higher education for 30 years and senior leaders are more concerned than ever.”
He added that “bankruptcy is a realistic possibility,” with one in ten already reducing staff this year.
Mr Rushforth spoke further and said: “Accepting fewer British students is a last resort, but if you are losing something, people have to consider it. We have to analyse everything because the situation is very serious.
“Universities have to think carefully about what they want to protect and make decisions about how to divest things that are not core to the institution. There will be fewer options for students. So, basically, you either have to increase revenue or reduce quality or volume.”
Some universities have blamed the decline in Nigerian student enrollment on the Nigeria’s economic crisis, as the naira fell drastically against the pound.
In January, the Financial Times reported that the enrollment of international students into United Kingdom universities had reduced by over a-third from major countries like Nigeria and India.
After the announcement by the UK authorities to stop international students from coming with dependents on their study visa, there was great panic among universities that they might fall into loss.
British Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, announced new immigration policy that prohibits international graduate students from bringing family members to the UK.
He also announced in December that the government was reviewing the “graduate route” to enable international students to work in the UK for two years.
