15 UK Universities Announce Staff Layoffs, Course Closures Due to Decline in Overseas Enrollment
These institutions have targeted countries outlined in the UK government's International Education Strategy, such as India and Nigeria, resulting in substantial increases in non-EU international student enrollments.
Binye-lum 
At least 15 universities in the United Kingdom have made public announcements regarding staff layoffs and course closures, attributing these decisions to a notable decline in overseas postgraduate student enrollments in January. This decline has been linked to the UK government's efforts to reduce international student numbers.
The repercussions of reduced international enrollment are concerning, with fears mounting that undergraduate student recruitment may also decline in the upcoming academic year. This situation is compounded by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Several institutions across the UK, including prestigious Russell Group universities, mid-tier universities, and Scottish institutions, have issued alerts about potential course reductions and staff layoffs.
Conversely, some universities, particularly those established after the conversion of polytechnics to universities in 1992, have experienced significant growth. These institutions have targeted countries outlined in the UK government's International Education Strategy, such as India and Nigeria, resulting in substantial increases in non-EU international student enrollments.
For example, the University of Hertfordshire has reported a surge in international student numbers, accounting for over 45% of its total student intake, with significant spikes from India, Nigeria, and Pakistan. However, despite this growth, it is anticipated that financial difficulties may arise in the coming years due to the overall decline in international student numbers.
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Robert Gordon University (RGU) is among the institutions facing challenges, having introduced a voluntary severance scheme in response to staff redundancy caused by a decline in international student enrollments. Factors contributing to this decline include post-Brexit alterations in UK immigration policies, escalating cost pressures, and reductions in public funding.
RGU, which has established links with Nigeria and India and actively recruited students from these countries, has experienced significant expansion in recent years. However, the current financial difficulties underscore the broader challenges facing UK universities in adapting to shifts in international student demographics and government policies.
