Why do people study in the UK? New HESA statistics

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) just released a comparison of higher education enrolment and qualification figures between 2014/15 and 2013/14.

The statistics reveal how enrollment and qualifications are changing on the basis of nationality, field of study and gender.
Have you ever wondered why students pursue higher education in the UK?

The Boar turned to Warwick students to find out what influenced their choices.

International students
The HESA report shows a 1% decrease in enrolments of students from the European Union (EU) and a 1% increase in non-EU students this year compared to the last.

In 2014/15, 10 % of full-time undergraduate and 46% full time postgraduate enrollments were non-EU.

Muhammad Abdul Rahim, a first-year Economics student from Singapore, commented: “[In Singapore] there’s very little room for a more holistic character development unlike here where you’re independent and have to bear the weight of all your actions or reap the benefits yourself.”

Non-EU international students have to pay about 3 times as much as EU ones with tuition fees between 20 000-27000.

Regardless of this, Muhammad explained that: “The United States are far more expensive, and the British education system in terms of universities far surpasses that of Singapore’s.”

Enrollment by field of study
Medicine, Biological sciences, Physical sciences, Mathematical sciences and Creative Arts & Design are among the subjects that appear to have become more popular this year.

Instead, Education and Veterinary sciences have suffered the largest decrease in enrollment since last year.

First-year Medical Microbiology and Virology student, Mara Sarateanu, stated that: “My course has become more popular this year, probably because they combined the undergraduate and master degree in four years, which is very convenient.”

Coming from Romania, Mara added that: “Right now there is not much medical research going on in Romania or Europe in general, both in terms of careers and education.”

Closing the Gender Gap!
The gender statistics showed a commendable degree of equality.

56% of enrollments to higher education were female this year, compared to males which only made up 44%.

Although a slightly higher percentage of females achieve an Upper Second qualification than males, there is absolute parity in the achievement of a First (22% of males and females).

Clara Daudré-Vignier, a first-year Engineering student – with Engineering typically being male dominated – commented: “I’ve never seen any kind of difference when it comes to grades and more important I’ve never felt any kind of distinction the only truth in grades is talent, work and luck.”

You can go and see even more HESA statistics and charts here.