An uplift in UK course applications and an apparent softening of government tone in recent weeks could spell a more optimistic outlook for international students and their homestay accommodation providers in the period ahead. Despite fears mounting as a result of the Brexit effect and concerns over student visa restrictions, there has been an encouraging rise in the number of international students applying to study in the UK on courses due to start in Autumn 2018.
Applications for undergraduate courses from students abroad have seen a 3 per cent rise since this time last year, according to UCAS, the applications clearing house. While there were 12,400 fewer applications from UK students, there was 7,300 more from overseas students. A total of 43,500 EU students applied for places, the second highest number recorded.
“No long-term issues with students overstaying their visas”
It was during her 3-day visit to China in February that Prime Minister Theresa May admitted in a press interview that international students “did not have a long-term impact on migration numbers”. The apparent softening of tone since her previously tough stance on international students when Home Secretary, and at the start of her leadership, may be due to the recent shutdown of a number of so-called colleges enrolling overseas students onto “bogus” courses.
The Prime Minister also highlighted that as many as 900 colleges were now prohibited from bringing in students from abroad because, “all too often they were being brought in to work, rather than for education”.
Despite a combined total of EU and non-EU applications passing 100,000 for the first time,
May said that action taken to remove the abuse of the system meant that students coming to study in the UK and leaving afterwards were not having any long-term effect on overall migration. Her comments follow a 2017 study of exit data by the Office for National Statistics, which found there were no long-term issues with students overstaying their visas.
Applications from non-EU countries continued to rise
Latest UCAS figures also reveal that student applications from non-EU countries, such as China have continued to rise by more than 2,000 – a 20 per cent increase on 2017. Even students numbers from India, which had been drastically falling over several years bounced back with more than 1,000 applications – up by 36 per cent.
It’s likely that some homestay accommodation hosts will conclude that the unexpected jump in figures may be really just down to the Brexit affect. International students have continued to clearly benefit from the boost to exchange rates due to the weakened pound following the Brexit vote in June 2016. Now with just 12 months left until the March 2019 leave date itself, it’s also likely that students have simply tried to ensure their applications are made as early as possible in the final period before the UK finally bows out of the EU.
The jump in international applications is arguably, welcome proof that whether in or out of the EU, the UK looks set to remain one of the world’s most prestigious destinations for international students to continue on their higher education journey.
Opportunity to live and learn about the everyday life of the host country
Another major reason, of course, relates to the many students who see studying in a different country as a valuable opportunity to live and learn about the everyday life of the host country at first hand. It is also why many young international students will choose homestay accommodation and live with a host family, especially those on English learning courses.
Naturally enough, the chance to improve their English speaking tends to always be highlighted in any survey of why students are keen to study in England. English remains one of the five most widely spoken foreign languages alongside French, German Spanish and Russian. A hosted homestay experience also plays a significant part in broadening a young person’s view of the world.
Homestay host has always been much more than just a room provider
The role of the homestay host has always been much more than just a room provider. A student guest can be actively encouraged to become involved in the everyday world of a host family – not just sharing meals – but also attending family events, such as a birthday celebration or weekend trips. Both hosts and their students speak about the lifelong relationships often formed.
The invaluable presence of international students and their contribution to the UK has been given a show of support by Prime Minister Theresa May’s recent comments. We can only wait to see if the newly buoyant application figures have been given a further uplift and continue their rise in next year’s entry numbers.