EU students still keen on studying in UK

Newly released figures show that EU-based students studying art and design subjects are still keen on studying at UK institutions.

The latest Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application figures show that the number of non-British students applying for art and design courses increased last year.

Nearly 2,500 more international students applied to study art and design in the UK in 2018 compared to 2017, an increase of 15 per cent, and 1,000 more European Union (EU) citizens – a rise of 6 per cent.

However, the number of British-based students looking to study the same subjects at universities dropped by 9,000 applicants to 189,000 applications overall.

That there has been a fall in the number of British students choosing to study art and design has not come as much of a surprise. The current UK government is largely focussed on promoting science and technology subjects.

What is surprising is that the number of EU students applying to study anything in the UK is rising – particularly given the ongoing uncertainty regarding Brexit.

The main reason for this increase could be down to a desire for EU residents to improve their chances of staying in Britain post Brexit.

The government has stated that foreign citizens who arrive in the before 29th March 2019 – when the UK is officially due to leave the EU – will be entitled to stay for five years, and can also apply to stay permanently if they wish.

Prime minister Theresa May has made it clear the same rules will not apply to those who arrive after March 2019, and that there between those arriving after the UK leaves and those who came before.

Many international students also still see the UK has an attractive destination in which to study, with higher education institutions enjoying a good global reputation.

Article published 7th February 2018