Written evidence submitted by the University of Glasgow
For Glasgow specifically, we have seen a substantial decrease in both applications and registrations from South Asia, in particular India.
- Indian numbers dropped by 40% from 2011 to 2013 overall, with the most marked drop in PGT at 54%. The most discernible decrease was in 2012 following the announcement of the closure of PSW where numbers dropped by 33% from 232 to 154.
- In 2011 the Indian market was worth approx. £3.3m to the University but in 2013 the Indian market was worth approx. £2.3M. However, if we had at least maintained Indian student numbers at the same level, i.e. 2013 numbers had remained at 232, our earnings for 2013 would have reached approx. GBP £3.8M so we have therefore predicted a loss of income of approx. £1.5M
Estimating the cost of living for students in 2011 at approx. £8,000 per student for PGT and £7,500 for UG and PGR; and for 2013 at approx. £8,900 for PGT, and £8,400 for UG and PGR: the Indian student market in 2011 was worth approx. £1.8M to the City of Glasgow and £1.2M in 2013, representing a 33% drop.
Indirectly, the government’s immigration policies have had a cataclysmic effect in some markets and have opened the door for other countries to capitalise on the UK’s loss of market share. The USA, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and now other countries across Europe are all benefiting from the UK’s UKVI policies. This is having an incredibly negative impact on the UK sector as a whole and reputationally damaging the UK Education brand across a range of territories.