Up to 50,000 UK students have been denied places at British universities this year while the number of non-European students given places has doubled over the last ten years.
Figures published earlier this year by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) show that tens of thousands of British students have missed out on university after applications increased but places were cut because of the Government’s cash crisis.
A new study titled “The Patterns of Higher Education Institutions in the UK” by Professor Geoffrey Crossick of Universities UK has found a 48 percent increase in the number of international students between the years 2000 and 2006.
According to the report, in 2007/08 some 229,640 students came from outside the European Union, compared with 117,290 in 1998/99. Students from China remained the “most significant” number.
A total of 19,385 Chinese students enrolled on first degree courses in the UK and 21,990 took up places for post-graduate study.
In 2008, some 540,108 British students had applied by the June 30 deadline to register. This year the figure reached nearly 600,000 — but the cash-strapped Government only provided for 3,000 extra places.
There was a particularly strong rise in what is called “mature student” applications, many of whom are struggling workers aiming to escape the recession by improving their employability with a degree.
Universities have long given preference to foreign students over British applicants because they can charge higher fees.
However, is it in Britain’s interests to educate students who will make no contribution to this country’s economy upon graduation?
The British National Party is of the opinion that priority should always be given to native British people first in the educational field. If there are places left over, then, and only then, can these be allocated to foreign students.
