Drop in Indian student applicants to UK universities in 2023: UCAS

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While the UK has always been one of the top 3 study abroad destinations for Indian students, recent figures released by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) indicates that there has been a drop in applications from India. While international student applicants have spiked up by 0.7 per cent, there has been a significant 4 per cent drop in Indian student applicants to UK universities in 2023.

"This data indicates a decrease in applications from mature students, particularly impacting fields like nursing. However, it is expected that these applicants will be more inclined to apply later in the process," commented Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Executive, UCAS.
 
According to experts in the higher education space, the UK Government’s recent visa rules might have something to do with the change in sentiment. According to a new mandate, the UK will limit foreign students from bringing family members with them with the exception of students enrolled in postgraduate research courses and/or availing government funded scholarships. The new regulations, effective from January 2024, has created a fair bit of uncertainty regarding the viability of UK as a prominent study abroad destination for Indian students. Recent media reports highlighting the difficulties faced by many Indian students in getting employment after completing their degrees has only added to the confusion.
 
In an interview published on Moneycontrol, Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham has said that UK will continue to be a favourable study destination for Indian students despite the recent changes. According to Tickell, it is those universities that focus on recruiting lower-performing students which have seen the biggest fall in applicant numbers from India.

 

India driving global demand for MBA programmes

Indian students are driving global demand for MBA programmes.

Professionals from industries such as banking, retail and finance are looking at the MBA programme as a tool to jump-start their careers. While there is steady interest in foreign schools, Indian b-schools are also reporting an increase in applications.

Piyush Saxena, a mid-level manager at a retail company in Delhi is taking a year off from work to join an MBA programme in the United States. “This is probably the best time to get an MBA degree as far as my line of work is concerned,” reckons Saxena. 


India’s retail sector is set for unprecedented growth with foreign giants such as IKEA and consumer brands such as Starbucks crafting their India stories. Saxena is hopeful of getting a top job with an international retail brand when he returns to the country after completing his degree.

With Asian economies such as India and China establishing themselves as powers to reckon with in the global arena, there is an increased demand for trained managers and management professionals who can thrive in an international setting. Students from these countries are looking for full-time MBA programmes that deliver quality education and international exposure giving them an edge over others.

Research from the latest Annual Application Trends Survey conducted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) has revealed that worldwide, Indian, Chinese, and US citizens accounted for the greatest number of foreign applicants to MBA programmes for 43 per cent, 27 per cent, and 6 per cent of MBA programmes, respectively. According to the survey, 83 per cent of MBA programmes in India which accept GMAT scores have also reported an increase in applications.

According to the GMAC survey, 80 per cent of two-year business programmes in Central Asia - a section dominated by Indian schools – have reported higher applications. Though impacted by the worldwide recession the Indian economy is not as badly hit as those closely integrated with the US economy, such as those in Europe.

The survey stated that "Indian business school graduates in 2012, reported large percentage gains in post-degree earnings compared to pre-degree salaries."

Also Indian business schools have emerged as the top study destination for Asians: receiving 41% of GMAT scores sent to top 10 Asian countries. "India and China are the leading Asia Pacific countries contributing to the influx of applications for the full time MBA programmes. The overwhelming response clearly indicates the value placed on quality graduate management education by candidates from this region," says Ashish Bhardwaj, regional director, South Asia, GMAC.

With globalization, the focus has shifted to acquiring skills for success in an international marketplace. Indian applicants are considering MBA programmes that combine academic knowledge, business exposure, learning and cross-cultural experience. Explains Sofia Ribeiro, Director, Marketing & Admissions, The LISBON MBA: “To successfully manage international teams, you’ll need a cultural sensitivity – which is best earned when travelling and working abroad.”

Adds Shirin Jarrar, Director of MBA Programmes, Edinburgh Business School, Dubai Campus: “There are numerous benefits to studying for a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with common drivers among participants. Career progression, personal development, a desire to acquire new skills and knowledge, and the opportunity to network with like-minded senior managers from differing backgrounds and nationalities are just some of the reasons that students choose an MBA programme.”

According to QS TopMBA.com Applicant Survey 2012, global motivations for taking an MBA are still dominated by the desire for career progression and to learn new skills, followed by attaining a leadership position. Building a professional network and seeking a salary increase, though less important, increased in relevance year-on-year.

 “We go to business school for two years, but the network that we build at school stays with us for the rest of our lives,” agrees Daljit Kochhar, director - KT Advisory, a consulting firm based in India. Kochhar is an MBA graduate from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.

Nunzio Quacquarelli, managing director of QS Quacquarelli Symonds observes: “This year, there is a clear preference amongst global applicants responding to the survey towards career goals rather than lifestyle choices when selecting where to study. Reasons such as ‘would like to work there afterwards’ and ‘create a network’ have proven more popular explanations for selecting a study destination when compared to 2011, while choices such as ‘cultural interest and lifestyle’, and ‘improve language skills’ have dropped considerably in popularity.

The QS survey also indicates that the dominant MBA study destinations remain the USA and UK, but both markets continue to show year-on-year declines in popularity, as have other English-speaking destinations such as Canada and Australia. The popularity of the USA, which was a target destination for almost 80% of respondents as recently as 2007, has dropped significantly. However, it still retains top position by a large majority, attracting 62% of respondents.

Adds Ribeiro: “India is one of the two largest potential markets for us. We get a good number of students from India and would like to focus more on recruiting students for our 2013 programme.” Confirms Sherry Wallace, Director, MBA Admissions, Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill: “The enrollment of Indian citizens was about 20 per cent higher for Fall 2012 entry than it was in Fall 2011. However, the number of applications for Fall 2012 entry was higher than Fall 2010 entry, but lower than Fall 2011.”

(Published in QS TopMBA)

60,000 Bogus Students Could Have Entered the UK in 2011

Migration Watch, an UK-based think tank has released a study that indicates that as many as 60,000 bogus students could have entered the UK in 2011 alone.

The study is based on the findings of a Home Office pilot scheme which were published last week. Under the pilot scheme applicants for student visas were interviewed to determine whether they were genuine. This involved two tests – whether they were genuine as students and whether they intended to return home after their studies. The Home Office found that the highest percentage of bogus students came from Burma, where 62% would have been refused a visa on doubts about their credibility. In Bangladesh, India and Nigeria, 59% of students were considered as likely to be bogus. When these proportions were applied to the number of applicants from each country in the pilot, it emerged that the total came to 63,000 potentially bogus students in just one year.

Of those who were potential refusals on credibility grounds, 61% were applying for privately funded colleges, 17% for a publicly funded college and 14% for a university.

Following this pilot, the Home Office has introduced plans to interview 10,000 students a year and has set out the criteria on which they will be judged. But it is now clear that the government has lost its nerve and has dropped the second test (intention to return) from the student interview scheme which comes into force as the end of July.

The Australian authorities – often quoted by the university lobby as a good example of student immigration control – have this very test. Their recent major review considered it to be “The first item of business in assessing a student visa application.”

As for the scale of interviews, 10-14,000 a year have been mentioned but this is only about 10% of the number of applicants from the countries of immigration concern.

Commenting, Sir Andrew Green, Chairman of Migration Watch UK said, “We now have clear evidence of abuse on a major scale. Bogus students come here to work illegally and thus take jobs from British workers. If it is clear from the circumstances that a student is unlikely to go home, the visa should not be granted in the first place. After all, many of the advantages claimed for foreign students depend on their going home after their studies. These half measures simply will not do. The government have bottled out on bogus students. If they are serious about immigration they must face down the self interested demands of the Higher Education sector and pursue the public interest.”

Referring to the letter to the Sunday Times signed by 37 business leaders calling for students to be taken out of net migration, Sir Andrew Green said: “It is, in fact, impossible to take students out of net migration because, unlike the US and Australia, we still have no exit checks so nobody knows how many who came as students have actually left the UK. It seems that business leaders are clueless about immigration policy and will sign whatever is put in front of them.”

Student route back door to Britain?

The debate over Britain’s immigration policy continues.

Migration Watch, a UK-based think tank, has challenged the call by 70 University Chancellors, in a recent letter to the Prime Minister, for overseas students to be taken out of the migration statistics. This would achieve nothing except to destroy public confidence in the government’s immigration policy while any significant expansion of foreign students could blow the government’s immigration policy seriously off course.

According to the study published by Migration Watch UK:

Britain’s main competitors – the US, Australia and Canada all include students in their net migration figures (while distinguishing them for internal administrative purposes). Unlike Britain, the same countries interview students before a visa is granted to test whether they are genuine and whether they really intend to return home after their course. A major Australian report found recently that these interviews did not deter genuine students. The UK should re-introduce them.

The US and Australia both have checks on the departure of individual students which are still not possible in the UK. Over the past ten years two million non EU and ½ million EU students have been admitted to Britain to study for more than a year but the government has not the slightest idea how many have actually left. Universities UK accept that about 20% of students stay on legally – that amounts to net migration of 50,000 a year.

Some of those from poorer countries are likely to stay on illegally. Migration Watch estimate that they could add a further 25,000 per year bringing the total to 75,000. If the number of foreign students was allowed to increase still further as the universities wish to see, students could eventually add 90 - 100,000 a year to net migration.

A 10% change in the number of foreign students would change the UK’s annual foreign exchange earnings by only about 0.2%.

Commenting, Sir Andrew Green, Chairman Migration Watch UK said “Foreign students are valuable but the present system is far too easily abused. Sadly, the student route has become the back door to Britain and it is wide open. Unlike our main competitors, we do not interview students before they come to confirm that they are genuine and there are no checks on their departure. We cannot have a massive inflow of a quarter of a million students a year without their contributing heavily to immigration. Taking them out of the statistics would achieve nothing. The government must thoroughly tighten up the student system or any attempt to reduce the current mass immigration will be blown seriously off course.

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: "In many respects the Migration Watch UK report makes valid and important points. The letter from university Chancellors to the prime minister states that any abuse of the student visa route needs to be tackled. UK universities are fully signed up to that agenda.

"But the Migration Watch report is wrong in calling for international students to be counted within the UK's migration figures. The Chancellors were calling for the government to remove international students from net migration figures in order to make a clear distinction between temporary and permanent migrants for the UK's own internal policy purposes. This would actually increase public confidence in the immigration system. No one is suggesting that international students should not be counted in the immigration system.”

Asia is the new destination for MBA abroad

Traditionally, the United States and United Kingdom have always been popular overseas education destinations with Indian students. However, in recent years countries in Asia such as Singapore, Hong Kong and China have emerged as alternative locations for Indian students looking for an overseas education experience.

Take the case of Nishaan Malhotra, who graduated from one of Delhi’s top schools. Nishaan has enrolled in an undergraduate engineering program at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore. Malhotra zeroed in on Singapore after attending an education fair. “Singapore came across as a fun, vibrant city and the university is well reputed. Also, Singapore is not that far from India, just a short flight away so my family is also not too worried about sending me far away.”

There are many others like him who are applying to colleges and universities elsewhere in Asia. According to Kavita Singh, CEO, FutureWorks Consulting, a company that provides admissions guidance to Indian students, the high cutoffs and shortage of places at Indian colleges have forced many bright, talented students to look overseas. “While countries such as the United States and United Kingdom are still the top picks, many students are looking east as well.” Singh has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the UK’s Oxford University and an MBA from Columbia Business School in the US.

Asian colleges and universities score highly on the cost and competitiveness factor. While the quality of education offered by institutions in countries such as Singapore and Hong Kong is very high, the cost of education is often lower than universities in the West in terms of tuition and living expenses. Most of these countries are close to India and with their economies thriving, employment options are also plentiful.

Hong Kong, for instance, has made a name for itself in the education arena. Some of its institutions such as the Chinese University of Hong Kong and City University of Hong Kong are favourably positioned in the annual QS World University Rankings™, and QS Asian University Rankings. All eight of Hong Kong’s government-funded universities use English as the medium of instruction. Courses such as engineering, bio-sciences, art and design are popular with Indian students.

"China and India constitute two of the BRIC countries that are signaling a major shift in global economic power. Tomorrow's world will need leaders who can capitalize on this by understanding both countries and facilitate the rapidly increasing trade between them," says Professor John A Spinks, Senior Advisor to the Vice-Chancellor, at the University of Hong Kong.

"We are fortunate in having a number of factors come together at the same time - the priority accorded to education by students and their parents in Asia resulting in high academic standards, the continued support of Asian governments for universities and the investment they provide, and the ranking of HKU as the best university in Asia,” Spinks continued. “With the economic development in Asia and the availability of jobs after graduation, many students are choosing to stay in Asia for their undergraduate studies rather than going to the more traditional educational destinations of the US, UK and Australia. This is the new Spice Route of the 21st century - exchanging knowledge across Asia".

Singapore, on the other hand, offers global education against the backdrop of a vibrant, bustling, culturally diverse city. Three universities that are known for their high academic standards are the National University of Singapore, Singapore Management University (SMU) and the Nanyang Technological University. These institutions have partnerships with leading universities across the world, and their degrees are globally respected.

Popular courses here include those in the fields of science and technology, medicine, and arts and design. However, the cost of living and tuition fees in Singapore are considerably higher than that in China and Hong Kong.

Along with Singapore and Hong Kong, China is also fast becoming an important educational hotspot. Seven Chinese universities rank among the top 200 in the 2011/12 QS World University Rankings™, with Peking University and Tsinghua University both making the global top 50. Chinese universities are known for their programs in medicine and business among other courses.

Another city that has become popular with Indian students is Dubai. Nearly 20,000 students from over 100 countries are enrolled in courses at the some of the world’s leading universities through branch campuses in Dubai.

Dubai’s education sector has expanded phenomenally in recent years. Leading universities from across the globe have set up branch campuses offering both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. The standard of living in Dubai is known to be high, and a comparatively low cost of living enables students to lead a comfortable life. A short flight away from India, Dubai has become a popular hotspot for Indian students looking for an international education experience at a reasonable cost.

With a range of attractive options closer to home now complementing the more traditional study destinations such as the US, UK and Australia, students from India are spoilt for choice when it comes to international education.

For those interested in the career benefits of an undergraduate education, QS’ series of global management education events comes to India from 12th-18th May. Register for free entry to the event by visiting www.topuniversities.com.

Source: Cool Avenues.com

Students and academic researchers are not permanent migrants: Universities UK

The British government’s immigration policies aimed at preventing student visa abuse at bogus colleges has resulted in decreasing numbers of foreign students, particularly those from countries such as India, Pakistan and China. The country’s higher education sector has been voicing concerns about the long-terms effects of the government’s strict visa regime on a market that is now worth in excess of £5 billion.

Eric Thomas: contentious debate

At a recent debate organized by higher education action group, Universities UK, university chiefs were unanimous about the fact that the image of Britain as a leading international education destination had taken a beating in the light of the government’s visa regulations.

Professor Eric Thomas, President, Universities UK said: “Migration is a significant issue and we are behind the government in stopping student visa abuse. However, there is clearly a conflict between government policy and the higher education sector’s ability to compete in the international market.” Thomas revealed that while UK’s market share in the international education market dropped from 10.8 per cent in 2000 to 9.9 per cent in 2009, biggest competitors have increased their market share. He also added that there have been reductions in student numbers from the Indian subcontinent.

“Students and academic researchers are not permanent migrants,” stated Thomas. “They come here to study and then, by and large, they leave.”

Professor Julia King, Vice-Chancellor, Aston University revealed that the University had witnessed a 39 per cent decline in applications from India. Birmingham’s local economy (food, clothing and entertainment) had also suffered a loss in revenues. King added that with a change in the post-study work visa regulations, graduates in disciplines such as pharmacy, engineering and business had been affected severely.

Glyn Williams, Head of Migration Policy, Home Office defended his government saying that “student migration is here with us and here to stay and no government is going to ignore that.”

“The more we debate, the more the adverse effect of the government policy will reverberate throughout the world,” Williams added.

Keith Vaz: crusader?

Rt.Hon Keith Vaz MP, Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee, focused on how public perception of Britain as a popular overseas education destination in important student markets such as India had taken a beating, especially with the recent deaths and Indian media’s attention on these tragic events. Vaz pointed out that Britain was being viewed as an unwelcoming place and many Indian middle-class families, who could afford an overseas education, were choosing to send their children to countries such as the United States instead.

Vaz was openly critical of the UK Border Agency (UKBA), border control agency of the British Government. He appealed to university representatives to lobby with the Foreign Office, the Government’s Business Department and No 10 rather than the Home Office. “These departments understand the benefits that foreign students bring to our economy,” added Vaz, himself a first generation immigrant. Vaz was born in Yemen from parents born in India.

"It’s important that the UK appears ‘open for business’": Universities UK Chief

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, on the British Home Office reforms of the student visa system.

Q: The British Home Office has announced that more than 450 education providers will no longer be able to sponsor new international students. What steps are UK universities taking to prevent abuse of the student visa system?

Nicola Dandridge: Visa abuse within the university sector remains very low, but we support measures designed to weed out any remaining abuse and ensure that all education providers are fulfilling their duties as sponsors. Universities are continuing to work closely with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) to improve the student immigration system.

Q: What does this mean for international students planning to come to UK for higher studies?

Nicola Dandridge: Beyond the substance of these arrangements, it is essential that the government considers the way in which the rules are communicated externally. It’s important that the UK appears ‘open for business’ to those individuals who are genuinely committed to coming to the UK to study at one of our highly-regarded universities. We must also be conscious of the impact that cutting down on pre-degree courses is having on our universities. Many universities operate pathway programmes with a range of providers. It is estimated that more than 40 per cent of all international students arrive through this means.

Q: Universities UK has been arguing that international students should not be counted in the net migration figures. Please could you elaborate on that?

Nicola Dandridge: Universities UK believes that the numbers of international students coming in to the country should be accounted for separately, and not included in the definition of net migrants for the purposes of government policy. International students are not economic migrants. They come to the UK to study, and then they leave. The vast majority of international students return home once their studies are completed, and those that do not, need to reapply for a separate visa.

Q: How do international students contribute to UK’s economy?

Nicola Dandridge: International students contribute massively to UK universities, both academically and culturally, and contribute over £5bn to the UK economy through tuition fees and off-campus expenditure. This is a success story for the UK, but there is no shortage of global competition.

India and China are top sources of foreign students in Britain: Universities UK

India is the source of the highest number of post-graduate students in the United Kingdom opting for “taught” courses. However, Indian students shy away from postgraduate research courses that involve a research component with an opportunity to pursue a research project.

A report published by higher education action group, Universities UK, throws up some interesting facts such as these. The report titled Patterns and trends in UK higher education examines key trends in education over the last decade, from 2000/01 to 2009/10.

Among other things, the report tracks the rise of student numbers, the changing popularity of different subject areas, and a notable shift in the funding regime. It also demonstrates how higher education institutions continue to make a large contribution to civil society and the economy in the UK.

Key findings from the report include:

• UK higher education institutions together educate some 2.5 million students annually. The last 10 years has seen significant expansion, with a 28 per cent increase in student numbers from all domiciles.

• One of the main trends over the last 10 years has been the success of UK higher education institutions in attracting international students. Since 2000/01, the number of non-EU students has more than doubled, with an increase of 11.7 per cent in the last year.

• UK higher education institutions now educate over 400,000 students from outside the UK, making the higher education sector one of the most important export earners for the UK economy.

• As in previous years female students studying higher education at UK higher education institutions remain in the majority, accounting for 56.6 per cent of all students in 2009/10.

• Since 2000/01, full-time postgraduate numbers have increased by 73.1 per cent compared with an increase of 28.5 per cent for full-time undergraduates over the same period. This is partly due to the rate of increase in non-UK students, who tend to study at postgraduate level.

• Employment rates six months after graduation remain high across the sector, with 80 per cent of institutions showing between 86 per cent and 94 per cent of their students recorded as in employment or further study six months after graduation.

The unfortunate case of TASMAC in London

INSTANCES of foreign institutions closing shop leaving Indian students stranded are becoming all too common in India. Could this be a natural, unfortunate, consequence of the craze for foreign degrees in our country?

It is regrettable that TASMAC has had to close down the London campus of their business school last week. I have known about them ever since the late ‘90s when I was heading British Council’s education promotion wing in east India. This is definitely NOT another Tri-Valley. Rather, an example of how Indian institutions need to exercise caution when planning their overseas ventures.

Needless to say, the TASMAC decision has jeopardised prospects of over 600 Indian students in London. The Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring the situation. In a statement, a foreign ministry spokesperson said, "The decision to shut down the campus is believed to be related to the UK's efforts to tighten norms in respect of Tier 4 student visas."

The MEA said the Indian high commission in London has made contact with the TASMAC authorities. "Our high commission in London has established immediate contact with TASMAC, which has conveyed that it is working with the University of Wales to transfer the students to other educational institutions so that their studies are not disrupted." The Indian mission has set up an advisory for students on its website, but the ministry said no Indian student had contacted them for any assistance yet.

Earlier this year, the UK instituted several changes in student visa regime which are as follows: From April 2012, any institution wanting to sponsor students will need to be classed as a Highly Trusted sponsor, and should be accredited by a statutory education inspection body by the end of next year. The current system doesn't require this, and has allowed too many second and third rung colleges to become sponsors.

With the University of Wales in a spot over the “cash-for-certificates” scam, how much assistance they would be able to provide these stranded students remains to be seen.