India Likely to Overtake China in Number of International Students in UK
by Jeduka Helpdesk Education CounsultantIndia is expected to overtake China as the main source of
international students recruited to UK universities within a few years.
Universities in the UK expect a surge in applications from Indian students,
particularly for master's programs, following the mutual recognition of
qualifications agreement signed on 21 July 2022.
India may overtake China as UK’s main source of International
students
The total number is significantly higher than the 52,545 Indian
students studying in UK in
2019-20, indicating that the gap narrowing between the students from India and
China. In 2020-21, the UK welcomed 84,555 Indian students, with 73% coming for
master's courses, the majority of which were one-year duration China
continues to send most of its students to the UK, but the rate of growth is
slowing: 139,130 in 2019-20, and143,820 the previous year.
This year, India may surpass China in terms of the number of
international students in the United Kingdom. According to the most recent Home
Office figures, nearly 100,000 study visas were granted to Indian nationals
last year, nearly doubling the number granted the previous year and only about
20,000 fewer than those granted to students of China.
Reasons for Increasing Indian Students Studying in UK
The growth in students from India is likely to have a major effect
on the shape of UK higher education too. The probable reasons behind the
growing numbers of Indian students in UK are:
·
The reintroduction of
post-study work visas,
·
A planned UK government strategy
to target the Indian market
·
The agreement of understanding
between India and the United Kingdom
·
The change in student flows
because of the COVID pandemic.
According to Janet Ilieva, founder of international mobility
research consultancy Education Insight, much of the growth in global demand for
courses in the UK is coming from countries such as India, where the majority of
students are interested in a one-year taught master's
Post-study Work Visas Boosted Numbers
The UK government announced in 2019 that it would reintroduce the
post-study work visa route for international students graduating on or after
July 1, 2021. Since then, the number of students from India and other countries
applying to study at British universities has skyrocketed. The graduate visa
route allows international graduates to stay in the UK for two years to find
suitable work, and three years for Ph.D. graduates.
The Agreement
The memorandum of understanding between India and the UK is part
of the UK-India Enhanced Trade Partnership agreed upon by Prime Minister Boris
Johnson and Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year. It covers A-levels and
their equivalents, and undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, which should now
be recognized in India.
According to the agreement, it will allow Indian students who
graduate from universities in
UK to apply for postgraduate qualifications or start government careers
that require university qualifications when they return home.
It is also expected to increase the potential of UK nationals
studying in India, allowing them to broaden their academic and educational
horizons. It will allow institutions to develop courses that can be offered in
both countries.
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Created on Aug 19th 2022 02:39. Viewed 151 times.