April 5, 2024
At least 15 universities across the United Kingdom have recently announced strategic initiatives to alleviate financial strains brought on by a decrease in the number of foreign students enrolling, including those from Nigeria.
International student enrollment, particularly at the postgraduate level, has witnessed a significant decline. Consequently, many universities are considering downsizing and discontinuing certain programmes catering to this demographic.
The shift is also attributed to the UK government’s decision to restrict the influx of international students, leading to the reduction of previously granted concessions. Additionally, the global rise in cost of living appears to be impeding the recruitment of foreign students at the undergraduate level.
This challenging scenario is impacting a wide spectrum of institutions, from prestigious members of the Russell Group Universities to middle-tier establishments and Scottish colleges.
Robert Gordon University (RGU) has recently initiated a voluntary severance programme to address staff redundancies resulting from financial strains linked to a sharp drop in international student numbers. These pressures stem from post-Brexit modifications in UK immigration policies, alongside mounting cost constraints and diminished public funding.
