How the UK Can Become More Attractive to Overseas Students

The UK is a major venue for international students pursuing higher education. We explore how we could make the UK an even more lucrative destination for overseas students …

The UK job market is booming for graduates. Things are looking up for students in Britain.

The UK possesses a world-class education sector that delivers the highest levels of educational excellence. Every year, UK educational institutions continue to produce high quality graduates. These professionals not only go on to contribute to the growth of British industries but also the development of the country overall.

Overseas students represent a significant proportion of student numbers in the UK. The country has consistently been one of the major destinations for international students pursuing higher education.

But can we make the UK even more attractive for international students to pick as the destination of their choice to pursue higher education?

International students coming to the UK are estimated to contribute with approximately £8 billion a year to the economy. Whilst studying in the UK is a remarkable experience for most people, it can also be quite a challenging one. The need is clear to better conditions for those who become a part of the British education system and contribute greatly to it.

“The UK has to be very quick in changing its perspectives about international students. These ‘global citizens’ are increasingly very knowledgeable and confident about their options. They will not be snubbed, knowing that they are investing their best years and a good part of their potential inheritance into education abroad,” says Karina Kizhner, LSBF’s Head of Undergraduate Studies.

This might help the UK stay competitive in the long run as well as aide the overseas students’ integration into their host country.

Nadim Choudhury, LSBF’s Head of Career Services & Employability, suggests a three-point plan to benefit international students:

1. Reinstate the post study work visa scheme: This will incentivise more foreign students to come to the UK and study on the account that they will be able to gain real life professional experiences
2. Improve student funding for the deserving: Make sure the universities have greater hardship funds for those students unable to work on their visas – make these more clear on university websites
3. Make work-experience mandatory part of curricula: Undergraduate & postgraduate Programmes need to introduce more mandatory work experience modules within their core curricular- allowing international student the right to experience work in the UK

Dr Steve Priddy, LSBF’s Head of Research, adds that the following four factors would go a long way in alleviating international students’ concerns in the UK:

- Establishment of effective education recruitment agencies
- Provide cultural awareness training at all levels and across all relevant institutions
- Identifying employer requirements and improve recruitment
- Improvement of the visa issuing process for overseas students

There is no doubt that the foreign student recruitment process needs to evolve, and so do the provisions made for attracting them to be a part of the British education system. From our experts’ points of view, it is evident that the UK education sector welcomes and appreciates the presence of international students.

The UK is already one of the top destinations for international students. Here’s hoping even more of these bright young minds find their way to our campuses!