UK universities are facing financial hardship due to restrictions on international student visas, leading to a significant decline in applications and revenue. The president of UK Universities, UUK, Sally Mapstone, warned that the sector is facing a “clear choice” between allowing its higher education system to decline or taking action to address the issue.
The restrictions, introduced by the previous government, have resulted in 30,000 fewer applications from overseas students in the first four months of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. This decline has led to a significant deficit in the sector, with teaching and research facing shortfalls of £1.7 billion and £5 billion, respectively.
University leaders are calling for an increase in domestic tuition fees, which have been frozen since 2017, to offset the deficits. The new Labour government’s Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, acknowledged the challenges facing universities and promised to give the issues “attention and commitment.”
The future of UK universities hangs in the balance as they struggle to maintain their global competitiveness in the face of financial hardship. Will the government take action to address the crisis, or will UK universities be forced to slash courses and face closure? Only time will tell.
