Covid recession ‘may force universities to cut overseas fees’

UK universities have considered introducing flexible degree models for international students in order to sustain overseas recruitment due to the pandemic-related recession. 

Experts have voiced concern over the prospect of a quick bounce-back for UK universities following a steep decline in applications from international students, with affordability and competitive landscapes among the issues raised. 

Janet Ilieva, founder of Education Insight and an expert on global student mobility flows, said that the pandemic-related recession would “have a longer-term lingering impact on student demand, mainly affecting affordability of international study”.

She added that “what we’ve seen happening is using flexible delivery models and this is working with international partners where the UK degree is probably delivered through different means”. 

“There are flexible degree models that can be deployed to counteract the affordability aspect of an international degree.”

There are flexible degree models that can be deployed to counteract the affordability aspect of an international degree

– Janet Ilieva, founder of Education Insight

Erik Lithander, vice-chancellor at the University of Bristol, suggested that some of the factors that led to a better-than-expected overseas turnout at universities this year may not be replicated next year. 

“Australia and New Zealand were largely closed for business this last cycle. That may not be repeated from September onwards; that might change significantly. And that will change the competitive landscape,” he said. 

Dr Lithander also said that students may be more demanding for better quality teaching next year, saying that “students were prepared to indulge us with their patience for the online provision that we put in place [this year]. It was great that we could do it, I’m not sure all of us are doing it at a world-class standard and it would be interesting to see the extent to which we can convince students”.  

David Pilsbury, deputy vice-chancellor at Coventry University, said that there was “some indication that the sector might be in for a rather turbulent September” this year.