No threat to UK universities from English-language degrees abroad

Universities UK (UUK) has told The Journal that the rise in English-language degrees taught at European universities poses little threat to the cosmopolitan makeup of the British student population.

The response follows the publication of a study by the Academic Co-operation Association (ACA) showing that the number of English taught degrees in Europe has tripled in the past seven years.

Universities UK (UUK) has acknowledged the potential competition from abroad, with a spokesperson stating they “are well aware of the emergence of new competitors for international students”.

A spokesperson for UUK told The Journal that universities in Britiain would be encouraged to maximise the quality of their teaching: “Among ways that UK universities can cope with the increased international activity of our continental neighbours, and their growing tendency to teach in English, is by placing more emphasis on collaborative, partnership approaches.

“Student mobility is part of a much wider range of international activities within partnerships, including research, staff exchange and curriculum development.”

The study, published last year, showed that more than 4000 degrees are currently on offer throughout the continent, potentially competing with UK degrees.

With the possibility of tuition fees rising in the UK over the next few years, countries such as Sweden, where higher education is free for all students regardless of nationality, offer students an alternative to British education.

Anders Flodström, the university chancellor of Sweden, has predicted that all university degrees offered in Sweden will be in taught in English within the next 15 years.

Professor Paul Wellings, former chair of the International European Policy Committee of the vice-chancellors’ umbrella group Universities UK, also agreed there was more choice for international students, but that the situation would not affect UK institutions dramatically.

Prof Wellings said: “The UK will lose some of its market share, but not its volume [of international students].

“But in the short-term, the complex visa requirements of the UK may see a flight of international students from the UK to Europe."

Jack Worden, Dean of International Strategy and Operations at Napier University said that competition from European institutions is a “temporary blip” and “unsustainable” in today’s economic climate.

Figures recently featured in a UUK report looking into trends in higher education have shown that the number of international students in Britain has increased by almost 50 percent in the past decade.

The statistics show that China remains the “most significant” source of students to the UK.

International students are an important source of income for UK universities as non-EU students pay larger sums for their courses than their British and European peers.