As net migration soars, five universities take nearly £350million MORE in foreign fees… and tumble down the rankings
UNIVERSITIES that raked in millions of pounds from foreign students have seen academic rankings plunge – despite Government claims the move would attract “global talent”.
Watchdog the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) drew up a list of the ten universities with the greatest expansion in overseas student numbers between 2018 and 2022.
And despite receiving £350million more in overseas fees, half of them have now tumbled down the learning league tables.
Former immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: “It’s high time our bloated higher education sector weaned itself off their addiction to foreign students and focused on academic performance.
“The statistics confirm what we have long known — more and more foreign students are coming to less selective universities, to do Mickey Mouse degrees and then perform low-wage roles.
“These universities aren’t pursuing the top global talent. They are marketing their courses overseas as a back door to life in the UK.”
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Low-wage roles
In 2019, then Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the reintroduction of a two-year post-study work visa.
The number of foreign students has soared from 496,110 in 2018/19 to 679,970 in 2021/22.
A government press release said the initiative would “help recruit and retain the best and brightest global talent, as well as opening up opportunities for future breakthroughs in science, technology and research”.
Critically, the scheme permits students to work while they study and allows them to work afterwards at any salary threshold and skill level, and stay in the UK to look for work without a commercial sponsor.
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From 2018 to 2022, the University of Hertfordshire saw a 246 per cent rise in the number of international students, which was an increase of 8,800 people.
The vast majority of these came from outside Europe, with fees from non-EU students comprising almost £109million of the near-£113million received overall from international arrivals in the year to 2022.
This was more than triple the £37million received from overseas students four years earlier.
Despite this massive boost in income, the UoH dropped from 74th in 2020 to 80th in 2022 in the Complete University Guide rankings.
This year, UoH is ranked 83rd. At the same time, UoH vice-chancellor Quintin McKellar received an £8,000 rise in his salary and benefits package — taking it to £360,000.
The MAC warned the UK’s system of post-study work visas is likely to be fuelling low-wage migration rather than drawing global talent into high-skilled jobs.
It concluded: “This data suggests that the graduate route may not be attracting the global talent anticipated, with many students likely entering low-wage roles.”
Conservative MP Neil O’Brien said: “This investigation reveals the failure of the system. If they were attracting global talent you would expect to see them shooting up the rankings.
“Unfortunately, what was billed as a move to attract the ‘best and brightest’ has led to many entering low-wage roles in the gig economy on what is effectively a ‘Deliveroo Visa’.
"The UK should become the grammar school of the western world by reducing immigration and making it more selective. We can start by scrapping the two-year post-study work visa.”
The University of Greenwich saw a 172 per cent rise in foreign students over four years — receiving nearly £99million in fees from them in 2021/22 compared to £44million in 2018/19.
Vice-chancellor Professor Jane Harrington’s remuneration package was £309,000 in 2021/22, up from the £246,000 received by the post holder in 2018/19.
In 2020, Greenwich was rated 83rd but by 2022 it had fallen to 92nd. This year it is 110th.
Meanwhile, the University of Glasgow increased the number of international students by 7,300 and has fallen from 18th place in 2020 to 26th this year.
Vice-chancellor Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli saw his salary balloon by £35,000 to £383,000 in 2021/22.
The University of East London saw a 283 per cent increase in foreign students over four years — getting more than £55million in fees from them in 2021/22 compared to just under £18million in 2018/19.
Vice-chancellor Professor Amanda Broderick received a total remuneration package of £303,000 in 2021/22, up from £252,000 in 2018/19.
In 2020, East London was rated 116th but by 2022 it had fallen to 127th. This year it is 123rd.
The University of the West of England, Bristol, saw a 117 per cent increase in foreign students over four years — receiving more than £79million in fees from them in 2021/22 compared to £36million in 2018/19.
But bucking the trend, vice-chancellor Professor Sir Steve West saw his remuneration package cut during that time from £334,000 in 2018/19 to £296,000 in 2021/22.
In 2020 and 2022, UWE was rated 55th but this year it fell to 67th.
Research reveals how recruitment agencies are lining their pockets as universities rely on them to find overseas candidates.
Greenwich paid agents more than £28.7million in 2022-23 — up from £18.3million in 2021-22 and £3.3million in 2017-18, according to The Observer.
The money went to 230 agencies and related to the recruitment of 2,986 postgraduates and 500 undergraduates over the year.
They suggest the university paid an average of £8,235 in agency fees per student.
Meanwhile, Leeds Beckett spent £9.5million in 2022/23 compared with £871,000 five years ago, and Manchester Met spent £4million compared to £650,447, the newspaper reported.
De Montfort in Leicester paid £17.1million in commission to agents in 2022/23 — up from £10.5million in 2021/22, according to Freedom of Information answers.
The figures come amid outcry after net migration rocketed to a record 745,000 in the year to December 2022.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has vowed to cut numbers, and brought in measures barring most foreign students bringing family to Britain with them.
Home Secretary James Cleverly recently announced MAC will review the “graduate route” which allows students to work in Britain for two years after their course.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We have been clear that the current levels of migration to the UK are far too high.
“From 1 January, our tough rest-rictions to the student visa route came into force restricting international students from bringing family members to the UK.
"This is on top of us already removing the ability for international students to switch into work routes before their studies have been completed.
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“These measures will have a tangible impact on net migration and are part of our wider package, which would have seen 300,000 fewer people eligible to come to the UK last year, and cracks down on those taking advantage of the UK’s immigration system.”
None of the universities responded to requests for comment.
