Brexit has taken the center stage of world politics for some time now. The world nations have been highly interested in the topic for more than one reason. With the UK finally leaving the European Union in 2019, many economic and industry experts have been constantly following each and every update to predict what effects this will have for the UK. People around the world have also been keen to know what kind of backlash this will have on the world economy. While the global impact of Brexit is attracting the people’s attention, let’s look at another important issue that is going below the radar with all this fuss. The study abroad picture for International students in the UK after Brexit looks rather cloudy in the face of it. When looking at the whole situation from an educational perspective one will get to know that, there are various speculations and misconceptions prevailing about the international higher education scenario in the UK post Brexit. People are saying that Brexit is going to adversely affect the higher education sector of the UK by making the country less welcoming and more expensive for aspiring international students. While this being the common notion, industry experts have a different opinion and they state that the changing of international student policies will act as a boon for international students.
With this argument going back and forth, let’s take a quick glance at some of the things that aspiring international students should consider before taking the final decision.
1. The Immigration Rules: This is one of the most anticipated topics that both students and their parents are looking forward to. The new set of remodeled immigration rules are set to come in effect in the UK by 2021. The new immigration scenario is looking good for non-EU international students and one unique benefit of the rule is that it allows undergraduate and postgraduate students to stay back in the country for 2 years after graduation to look for suitable jobs. For Ph.D. students, their post study work period will be extended to one year. This new immigration policy took by the UK government gives international students better opportunities to find a job after their studies. As far as students from the EU are concerned, they will need to explicitly apply for student visas to get admitted into universities in the UK.
2. The effect on the Quality of Education: The educational institutes in the UK have always been regarded as best in class institutes that offer practical exposure and research-intensive education. Post Brexit people are skeptical about the fluctuations and decline that might happen to the overall quality of education offered by universities in the UK. With the freedom of movement for EU citizens limited with the advent of Brexit, universities in the UK might face the threat of a decline in the number of talented professors and researchers from other European countries coming to teach in the UK. Another danger that the universities might face is that the UK is set to lose billions of Euros as research funding that was provided by the EU. So, chances are these two factors will surely have an adverse effect on the quality of education offered by educational institutes in the UK.
3. The Tuition Fee Scenario: Another increasing concern among the students is regarding what effect the Brexit will have on the cost of education. The UK has never been a cheap place to study for international students with the tuition fees already high when compared with that of other higher education destinations. Prior to Brexit, students from other EU countries were treated as domestic students and they only had to pay as same as the native students but post Brexit this is going to change and these students will have to pay more for studying in the UK. One counter argument for this is the fact that the Britsih pound has been declining rapidly in terms of its value compared to the euro amidst the Brexit turmoil. This might still continue post Brexit and with educational institutions failing to adjust their fees with this drop, the tuition fees may become affordable in the short term.
4. The Job Prospects: Another reason why many international students flock to the UK is to cash in on the plethora of job opportunities that the country has to offer. Post Brexit, this is also up in the air, with suggestions that many companies will be leaving the country and with that taking the job opportunities with them. Another aspect is that, if Brexit is going to have an adverse effect on the UK economy, then the companies will not be keen on hiring new employees. This will result in fewer job opportunities along with making the entire job market more competitive.
By summarizing the above points one can feel divided and that is because the benefits and risks are perfectly balanced with none able to outweigh the other. Like everything else, Brexit too have pros and cons and the power to choose to pack your bags for the UK is completely up to you.
