Key Takeaways:
- The UK may experience a change in its student population, with many of its students coming from Asian countries affected by world events.
- The UK may expect a sudden increase in its enrollment in the coming years as more countries vaccinate their people.
- The UK maintains its position as a top study destination because of its vaccination efforts.
- Even after things become normal, the UK education system will still incorporate technology in its many processes, from global cooperation to having hybrid types of education.
The United Kingdom has gone through many different changes in recent years. From Brexit, leading to many changes in their foreign policies, to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing many sectors in UK society to adjust to the changing environment and needs of people.
One of the sectors greatly affected in the UK is the education sector. In this article, we will be discussing some UK international education trends, and how they have affected the UK’s education sector in general.
Declining Number of EU Students, and Improving Number of non-EU Students
After the UK finalized its departure from the European Union (EU) in January 2020, its education sector experienced a sudden decline in the enrollment of students from EU countries. Britain’s exit, or Brexit, affected the education sector, especially UK universities. According to a 2021 Forbes article, analysis has shown that UK universities are expected to lose around £62.5 million per year in tuition fees because of Brexit.
This decline was already felt in the months leading to 2020, when the number of EU students dropped 40 percent between 2019/2020 to 2021. Moreover, according to University World News, although the sudden decline has coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, the reason is more about Brexit than the pandemic. Meanwhile, applications from students from non-EU countries have increased.
In the coming years, this decline in EU students, and a rise in non-EU students might result in changes in how the UK does its recruitment, especially with EU students. It might also make its services better for non-EU students.
Greater Dependency on Technology
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions have transitioned to a hybrid (virtual and face-to-face) or virtual learning. Big companies like Google and Zoom have made it easier for students and teachers to still continue classes despite students being stuck at home because of travel restrictions and lockdowns.
Automation platforms such as MSM Unify have also made the process of international student recruitment easier and more streamlined. Online recruitment has become the safer, more convenient way to get students to apply to a higher education institution not only in the UK, but in other countries as well.
Now that more and more people, both within and outside the UK, are getting vaccinated, it will only be a matter of time before traveling to another country will become normal again. However, the world’s dependence on technology is more likely to stay.
Thus, the education sector can expect more hybrid types of education and greater global cooperation between institutions and education agents. Students can expect easier and affordable access to lessons, and talks by famous experts in different parts of the world.
The UK is Still an Attractive Study Destination
In 2020, many predicted the UK to lose its position as a favorite study destination because of its huge numbers of COVID-19 cases and reluctance of many to wear face coverings in public. However, the UK was able to go back on its feet in 2021, and it is even one of the first countries that began vaccinating its people.
This has made the UK a more attractive place for many prospective students, according to research by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS). Paul Raybould, the director of marketing at QS, has said that education has always been one of the UK’s best exports, and its current effort in vaccinating its people has created a positive impact on potential students.
Thus, in the coming years, expect the UK to retain its position as a top study destination, with the number of foreign students going there to study still high.
The UK international education trends discussed above are just some of the top trends we are seeing now in the UK. As the year progresses, and as we get more updates on the UK’s COVID-19 response, we are sure to witness more trends that are likely to affect the direction of the UK’s international education sector.
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