Written evidence submitted by Middlesex University

1. This submission highlights the importance of EU and International students and staff for the success of Middlesex University (and the HE sector) and the positive impacts on the local and regional community and economy.  The University recognises that migration needs to be controlled, but requests that further consideration is given to:

(a)    Removing international (and in the future, EU) students from the migration target, considering them only as temporary visitors to the UK given their different impact on our society

(b)    Ensuring right to stay in the UK for all current EU staff post-Brexit, given their valuable and significant contribution to the success of our universities, including Middlesex University

2. This submission focuses on the potential impact on education and skills for UK students, and the UK economy.  Middlesex University fully endorses the UniversitiesUK published position. The University continues to work closely with Higher Education sector groups and wider organisations such as London Chamber of Commerce and Industry to understand the implications of Brexit and provide specialist input where helpful.  We have also shared our position with Barnet Council who we are working with on wider issues such as social cohesion.

3. In addition to the position of UniversitiesUK which we fully endorse and consequently have not repeated here, our concerns, challenges and opportunities relate to:

-          EU staff working at the University and EU students studying at the University and their contribution to the learning of all students

-          Related impacts on international student recruitment and integration

-          Impact on the local economy, in particular our partner organisations who provide such a rich learning environment for all of our students

-          Social inclusion and community relations in London and more widely

4. As the timing, process and policy outcomes of the exit process are as yet unconfirmed, we would welcome the opportunity to continue to contribute to discussion on how the interests of the HE sector are included in the upcoming negotiations with the EU.

Middlesex University

5. Middlesex University is a global university, based on one main site in Hendon, north London, with three overseas campuses in Mauritius, Dubai and Malta.  Our turnover is c£180 million and we work in partnership across London, the UK and the world.

6. There are almost 37,000 students on our courses globally, with over 19,000 students based in London, from over 140 nationalities.  We have over 1,800 staff, support 3,800 local jobs in invest over £289m into the Barnet economy every year.

7. Middlesex University is about transformation. Combining practical expertise with rigorous scholarship, we ensure our students can solve problems and think for themselves. Our courses are aligned and connected with industry and the changing world of work. Our teaching, research and practice engage with many of the most vital and pressing concerns of contemporary society.

International / EU students and staff

8. In 2016/17 over 1,800 non-UK EU students and 1,700 International students are studying at Middlesex on the London campus, in all subject areas though primarily in the Business School, in the Science and Technology departments and in Media and Performing Arts. Across all programmes and types of study non-UK students contribute c£40 million to the University’s tuition fee income. 

9. 20% of staff are from outside the UK, in both academic roles and professional and support services.  Most have been in the UK for several years, and many have families and close ties within the region and the UK.

10. The University collaborates with many EU and international partners for teaching and research, with well over 400 of our recent research publications produced in collaboration with partners in other EU countries, and research income from non-UK EU funding sources averages over £2.5 million per year.

Economic impact

11. A recent report by our Centre for Enterprise and Economic Development Research[1] found that in the 2014-15 academic year:

-          The University spent £2.1 million with suppliers in the Barnet, north London area

-          In total, students spend £62.4 million per year in the Barnet economy which supports an estimated 1,206 jobs (i.e. one job for every 15 students). Most of these jobs are in the retailing, leisure and property sectors.

-          In total, staff based at the London Campus (MU and non MU staff) spend £10.2 million per year within the Barnet economy which supports 197 jobs in the borough of Barnet.

12. The latest research from UniversitiesUK estimates that on average for every 100 full time jobs in a university an extra 117 jobs are generated in other sectors of the economy, and for every £1 million of university output, a further £1.46 million of output is generated elsewhere in the economy – both primarily locally to the home region of the university[2]. 

Social impact of EU/International students and staff

13. We work closely with local schools, colleges and employers in Barnet and surrounding boroughs.  Our team of over 200 trained student ambassadors, many of whom are from the EU or are international students, spend time in schools supporting pupils in their learning, help raise aspirations through activities such as the Festival of Learning or Children’s University, or running community activities such as language support or providing web training in local community centres.

14. We are a key participant in the Barnet Education Business Partnership - contributing to a range of projects and agendas including mentoring and enterprise and widening awareness of health related careers to over 250 school pupils in Barnet, with many of these projects led by EU/international staff and students. The experiences of our EU/International staff and students add to the value of our activities – their contribution enriches the learning of school pupils and helps to cement positive relationships with local communities.  More information on our extensive local outreach work is available via our Access Agreement submitted to the Office for Fair Access[3].

15. We provide support for local business through our change management consultancy, provision of placement students for project work, access to cutting-edge research faciliities and staff training in management or specific technical skills.  Again, much of this is undertaken by and with our EU/International staff and students.

EU/International staff impact on the quality of our curriculum and UK students‘ learning

16. The contribution of EU/International staff to our university is significant.  We have very real concerns that after Brexit, or as a result of continuing immigration restrictions on all non-UK staff, existing staff will leave (whether required to or not) and new staff will be harder to attract.  As an international university, supporting the development of the global workforce, this contribution in terms of discipline knowledge beyond UK paradigms, pedagogic development utilising different models, cultural diversity and a truly international perspective enriches the university and impacts on the rest of our staff, and of course our students. 

17. We also fully support the points well made by UniversitiesUK and other sector organisations regarding the contribution of EU/international staff to the quality, competitiveness and attractiveness of the UK higher sector and the need to consider mechanisms to enable existing EU staff and their families to stay in the UK and routes for future EU staff to work in the UK with minimal restriction. We have seen the international visa regime impact on our ability to attract high quality international staff and are concerned that a similar regime for EU staff will have even greater impact.

18. We agree and support the many arguments made by sector bodies, business organisations and six committees of Parliament that international students be taken out of the net migration target.  International students contribute significantly financially and socially to the UK, place little strain on infrastructure and core services (most being young, in the UK without families etc.) and the significant majority return to their country of origin when their course ends.  Exit data demonstrate this, and those who do stay are usually sponsored (for example medical students entering Foundation training, or those entering highly skilled professions.  The sector has significantly strengthened recruitment, admissions and monitoring processes such that sponsor targets are met and is no longer a high risk sector.

EU/International students impact on UK students’ learning

19. Similar to EU/International staff, students from outside the UK enrich our learning environment for all of our students.  Learning alongside someone from another culture, educational background and with different experiences is vital to helping our students understand the modern world and how they can contribute to it.  Changing the status of EU students so that they may have to pay international fees and withdrawing their access to student loans will impact on the attractiveness of the UK as a destination for learning for undergraduate students, and potentially by sending a ‘not welcome here’ message for postgraduate students too. 
20. We would urge the government to consider how a scheme like Erasmus can be maintained, with reciprocal arrangements for UK students to study at EU universities as part of their studies, given the significant impact these opportunities provide in enhancing students skills, employability and life chances.  Such schemes are vital for students from underrepresented groups without family or other income to finance study outside the UK.

21. We are pleased that the government has guaranteed ongoing access to student loans for current undergraduate EU students and (as at 11 October 2016) for new students in 2017/18, for the duration of their course, even if this finishes after the UK has left the EU, and urge extension of this to new entrants from 2018/19 and 2019/20 and consideration of future funding models to support EU students continuing to come to the UK.

Wider impacts on curriculum, resources and support

22. We are focused on supporting students to reach their potential and to gain appropriate employment at the end of their studies.  To this end we work with many local, regional and national UK small businesses, local industries and large companies.  This includes their role in supporting development of the curriculum to ensure we are up to date on what employers need, providing placement and internship opportunities for students and also using experts from business and industry to help teach our courses.  We are very concerned that the changes to the immigration status of EU citizens working in our partner organisations will significantly impact on the resources they have available to continue to work with us – directly impacting on the educational experience of our students and the skills of the future workforce locally, nationally and internationally.

Middlesex University

18 January 2017