Recently, a sharp decline in enrolment of foreign students including Nigerians has been experienced by universities in the United Kingdom, with no fewer than 15 institutions announcing plans to sack some workers and even stop running some courses.
Gatekeepers News reports that this decline has been particularly felt at the postgraduate level and has been attributed to the UK government’s decision to reduce international students, as well as the whittling down of some concessions given to them, according to a report by University World News.
Additionally, there are concerns that the high cost of living being experienced globally may also have a negative impact on enrolment of foreign students at the undergraduate level.
This situation has affected a wide range of institutions, from the prestigious Russell Group Universities to mid-tier universities and Scottish institutions.
For example, Robert Gordon University (RGU) recently introduced a voluntary severance scheme due to its financial difficulties resulting from a notable decline in international student enrolments.
This decline has been attributed to post-Brexit alterations in UK immigration policies, escalating cost pressures, and a considerable reduction in public funding.
