Brexit! Taking the biscuit (“really bad”) – or is it great to risk it?
UK college principals seem to be currently uncertain what the long term future will bring and homestay accommodation providers are sure to be wondering too. Across the UK, the presence of international students at British universities and colleges supports around 170,000 jobs, and related sectors including hosted accommodation and their inclusive programmes.
Since the Brexit referendum in the UK, endless speculation on how Brexit will play out once the process starts has filled the press, TV and social media. Experts from every field you can think of say it’s hard to predict what will actually happen two years down the line.
Universities and colleges have announced that in the meanwhile, nothing changes in the education of international students. But what do the students themselves have to say about it all? Has anybody asked?
9 in 10 students “more attracted” to study in the UK
Yes – they have! A survey recently carried out by ComRes on behalf of Universities UK reveals how some EU and non EU international students see the future for studying in the UK. Currently, the fall in the exchange rate of the pound sterling is seen as a “good thing”. Not surprisingly, 9 in 10 students said they were now “more attracted” to study in the UK because the cost is seen to have reduced to become more affordable even though the same courses are being offered.
However, the survey also showed that than nearly two thirds (63%) of students agreed that “the Brexit result has changed people’s perceptions of the UK as a study destination”. More worrying still, just over 87 per cent thought that the UK was now “less attractive” and expressed concerns over obtaining a visa and a worsening economy, post-Brexit.
On the other hand, it was clear that the reasons why international students chose to study in the UK – the high quality of education and its institutions – were not affected. The UK is known to be a prestigious study destination with a higher world ranking than countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, which have offered lower priced courses.
International students “very satisfied” with their experience in the UK
The number of international students in Britain, which until recently had been growing by some 3 – 4 per cent annually, has more than doubled in the last 15 years. The value placed on the standard of UK education and associated support services, such as hosted homestays are critical to maintaining continued interest to study here. Around 85 per cent of international students have previously said they were largely “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with their experience in the UK. (UK Council for International Student Affairs – UKCISA, Sep 2016).
EU students applying for 2016/17 were still eligible to receive loans and grants to fund their studies for the duration of their courses. The government has also given a firm assurance that research programmes will be protected up to 2020. However, the future of exchange schemes will depend on the willingness of the UK to contribute to the cost.
But students and hosted accommodation providers are, undoubtedly, looking nervously towards 2017 /18 and beyond. For EU students, it is not yet certain whether those arriving in 2017 or later will be eligible for student loans and whether their fee status might alter – although some institutions are guaranteeing that their fee status will not change for some years.
Visa screening a good thing for accommodation hosts
Despite the government’s present published policy that ‘there is no limit’ to the number of student visas which can be issued there have been recent changes to Tier 4 visa applications. These changes relate to post-study work and all students requiring an increased funding amount of 20 per cent if they wish to be eligible. Another important change involves all students who are now interviewed as part of the visa process can have their applications refused on general ‘credibility’ grounds. In addition, when Tier 4 students apply to extend their visas in the UK, they must show that the new course represents ‘academic progression’ from one level to a higher one.
At the start of October 2016, the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, announced a “consultation”, which will look at a proposal for tougher entry requirements on international students going to “lower-quality” institutions. The definition of ‘quality’ has not been specified.
So what does this all mean for students from abroad who have set their sights on studying in the UK? Will the hosted student accommodation sector be affected in anyway? Clearly, the more rigorous visa screening process aims to ensure the quality of students who apply is maintained. This can only be a good thing for accommodation hosts! Any slowing down in student numbers could also be off-set by the pound remaining low against foreign currencies, up to and beyond Brexit.
So maybe, Brexit will be less about taking the biscuit and more about savouring the taste?