Postgraduate Studies: Are UK Universities At Risk Of International Competition?

A recent survey of around 2,000 undergraduate students, carried out by a leading postgraduate study site, suggests that the financial implications of continued study are a key barrier to postgraduate uptake. In the wake of rising fees and uncertainty about the levels and availability of public funding, more students are looking to the bank of Mum and Dad to borrow money to study beyond their undergraduate degree – as well as working during their course, delaying their course start dates, living at home and indeed turning to traditional banks to fund their continued education.

In short, the findings from TARGETcourses’ research show that the top two reasons for not enrolling on a postgraduate course were cost and the lack of funding available, whilst more than 60% expect to work part time during their graduate studies. Around half said they would borrow money from family members to help fund the course.

However, perhaps most worrying for the UK postgraduate sector, is the finding that more than a third of those questioned would seriously consider looking abroad to undertake their postgraduate studies. Half of these said that it was due to lower fees, whilst a similar proportion (47%) cited improved employability – the most popular reason given was wanting to experience a new culture (72%).

From personal experience, I can certainly speak about the attractiveness of studying abroad – particularly in North America (where I actually did study, as part of my undergraduate degree), Northern Europe and Scandinavia. In the latter two, the cost of postgraduate study is often vastly reduced compared to the UK (or free) and universities have been quick to introduce English-language courses. Indeed, the top six choices for postgraduate study outside the UK from the above research can all be seen to offer a large number of English language courses – The USA, Canada, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, Scandinavia and Holland or Belgium (in descending order of popularity, 61% ticked the USA, 22% ticked Holland or Belgium, multiple selections were allowed).

In addition to the cheaper fees in the EU, there is also an added benefit to studying abroad in that it adds something different to your CV – universities such as Leiden (Netherlands), Leuven (Belgium), Karoslinka (Sweden), Aarhus (Denmark) and Munich (Germany) are all well respected international institutions and come with the knowledge that a student has experience of living and working abroad, as well as potential language skills and an understanding of a different culture.

From a different perspective, it should also be remember that UK universities do not cater exclusively for UK students – with a proportion of annual income coming from fees from foreign undergraduates and postgraduates, who with the increasing cost of UK courses may see other worldwide competitors as a better option. Given that UK universities sometimes charge international students around three times as much for a taught postgraduate course as they do those from the UK, this could represent a large loss of revenue for the higher education sector.

Postgraduate Studies – Are UK Universities At Risk Of International Competition?
UK universities are more costly for international students then Home/EU students, and more expensive for UK students than other EU HEIs

In fairness, the proportion of students currently taking the foreign option in terms of postgraduate study should not be blown out of proportion – in 2012, the Higher Education Statistics Authority suggested that around 1,600 students began a postgraduate qualification outside the UK. Although this is by no means a flood, it may be seen as the beginning of a trickle that has the potential grow steadily as word of mouth spreads and the perceived benefits begin to outweigh the perceived negatives (such as leaving home for instance).

Already, more UK students are choosing to study abroad – a long-term trend fuelled by an increasing number of foreign institutions offering courses taught in English (this figure increased from 560 in 2002 to around 3,700 in 2011), the majority of these new providers being located in Europe where, as mentioned, fees are particularly low for EU students. If this trend continues, the effect of a drain on postgraduates studying at UK HEIs has serious implications for the UK education sector, and the wider economy. To succeed in what is increasingly becoming a knowledge and skills based economy, we in the UK must encourage our brightest and best to continue their education – and preferably to continue it in the UK if we are to maintain a reputation for outstanding higher education.

Elliot Simmonds is responsible for panel management and engagement at VoicED. He is a judge in the UK Blog Awards 2014 – you can find out more about him, and the wider VoicED team, here.