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Original poster

Why do our most prestigious and wealthiest Unis accept so many international students ?

565 replies

Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:32

So said my son’s dad on learning DS2 failed to be offered a place at Cambridge…
I don’t know enough to confirm whether it’s sour grapes or he actually has a point.
Was looking at figures for Oxbridge and was surprised to find that something like 60 odd percent of students (under and post grads) are international. For undergraduates it’s nearly a quarter.
Likewise Edinburgh has 30% international students and is one of the wealthiest unis.
Unlike lower tier unis which don’t have the same deep financial pockets and have to attract foreign students to survive, surely these unis don’t. They could be attracting home grown, talented students who in years to come will contribute massively to the economy rather than returning to their home countries and taking their skills with them. My question is does ex DP have a point or is he spouting bollocks
as per usual ?

OP posts:
Sewverit · 31/01/2025 17:10

Money!!!

DD2 was at the Royal College of Art. Her course was ranked 1st in the world. Nearly all the students were Chinese paying £40k a year for the privilege.

FastnetLundyRockall · 31/01/2025 17:07

Also there is a birthdate drop in the uk in the next few years which will affect uk student numbers

FastnetLundyRockall · 31/01/2025 17:06

overseas student numbers dropped last year by the way.

SleepyHippy3 · 31/01/2025 17:05

Money, lots of money because foreign students pay a lot more than home students, for their courses. Between 2023-24 Cambridge’s revenue exceed £1billion.

biscuitsandbooks · 31/01/2025 17:05

Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:58

My point was that the conflicting demands of Brexit which equals less immigration/secure future in the country, inability to bring family versus the purpose of international students to part finance the running of said universities are kind of self limiting.

Show quote history

Most international students come from places like the UAE, Dubai, Russia, China etc. It's nothing to do with Brexit.

Cakeandusername · 31/01/2025 17:05

There’s freedom of information stats for some.

Warwick law

Why do our most prestigious and wealthiest Unis accept so many international students ?
StMarie4me · 31/01/2025 17:03

Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:41

I’m actually talking about the best unis. The prestigious already massively wealthy unis. Not Bolton or Derby.

Rude.
And still
Money.

Barbadossunset · 31/01/2025 17:02

@madamweb
I have up on masters course because the majority of the students seemed to be only there for their student visa and would turn up to about one lecture in 10. It made for a really odd experience..there were other reasons to stop too but this was part of it.

Im surprised they got away with that. When my ds was at university I’m sure he had to attend lectures - or have a good excuse why he couldn’t.

StMarie4me · 31/01/2025 17:02

This reply has been deleted

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What is your evidence for this?

StMarie4me · 31/01/2025 17:01

Money.
Unis are just in it for the money. Foreign students pay more.

Likewhatever · 31/01/2025 17:00

To answer the question you asked, it is the money. To answer a question you didn’t ask, DS2 could reapply if his heart is set in Cambridge, people do get accepted on the second attempt.

heyhopotato · 31/01/2025 16:59

Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:58

My point was that the conflicting demands of Brexit which equals less immigration/secure future in the country, inability to bring family versus the purpose of international students to part finance the running of said universities are kind of self limiting.

Show quote history

It's unrelated to Brexit, international students are mostly from outside Europe (esp India, China) on student visas. Plus there are lots of Commonwealth countries we basically give an unlimited free pass to. And South Korea, for some reason.

Original poster
Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:58

Suzuki76 · 31/01/2025 16:55

Why?

The students keep coming.

Show quote history

My point was that the conflicting demands of Brexit which equals less immigration/secure future in the country, inability to bring family versus the purpose of international students to part finance the running of said universities are kind of self limiting.

OP posts:
heyhopotato · 31/01/2025 16:57

TurquoiseDress · 31/01/2025 16:46

It's because the international students pay HUGE fees compared with 'home' students

It's all about the money money money I'd say

Universities am sure need the overseas cohorts to maintain that significant part of their income

This.

They get at least 3x more fees from international students, plus there's a lot of extra money that comes from them staying in the area longer each year than home students (arriving earlier etc). At a campus uni this makes a big difference because they have more income from meals, bars, etc.

Pieceofpurplesky · 31/01/2025 16:57

Last year in clearing Liverpool University only had international spaces.

ErrolTheDragon · 31/01/2025 16:56

Or maybe it's because they're truly world class universities who can attract the brightest students from around the world?

The standards certainly for top universities are still very high for foreign students, so while they maybe have a better chance of getting a place they still have to meet the same requirements for the course.

I once looked at the stats for undergrads ... the proportion of offers:applicants for other nationalities varied by country but was generally very low. They did not have a better chance of getting a place.

Suzuki76 · 31/01/2025 16:55

Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:53

House of cards which is unsustainable.

Why?

The students keep coming.

helpfulperson · 31/01/2025 16:55

There is a Yes Minister episode from the 90s about this so it's a long standing set up.

Original poster
Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:54

Yes and Brexit has created a huge disconnect with reality.

OP posts:
foxglovetree · 31/01/2025 16:53

Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:52

So attracting the best foreign talent who’ll hopefully stay and create wealth/growth then ?

In theory but the government has over the years made it harder for foreign students to stay on after graduation, essentially forcing many to leave rather than stay and create wealth even if they want to.

RedToothBrush · 31/01/2025 16:53

£££££££

This is not hard to understand.

Original poster
Berlinerschnauzer · 31/01/2025 16:53

House of cards which is unsustainable.

OP posts:
LIZS · 31/01/2025 16:53

Financial and it perpetuates an internationally recognised status.

biscuitsandbooks · 31/01/2025 16:53

Crikeyalmighty · 31/01/2025 16:49

@biscuitsandbooks it's a bit like the people with 2 million pound fully paid for houses who declare they are skint.

They can't just sell their assets or estates though - it just doesn't work like that.

foxglovetree · 31/01/2025 16:53

Crikeyalmighty · 31/01/2025 16:49

@biscuitsandbooks it's a bit like the people with 2 million pound fully paid for houses who declare they are skint.

Except they can’t sell the 2 million pound house and downsize to a suburban semi