(for Dissertation) - Research Proposal Example

Download file to see previous pages Immigrants in the UK from the OECD countries are the worst affected by the downturn. The internationalization of higher education in the past 30 years has been the driver for the growth of the sector globally (Bodycott, 2009). The number of international students since 1995 has almost doubled to 2.7 million globally. The motivations for internationalization differ across countries and institutions. The drive to internationalize has also led to the development of ‘transnational education’ programs. Internationalization has led to strategic alliances and use of technology to deliver education to students located in various countries. Today universities around the world seek quality international students to enhance their reputation, to enrich their campuses and programs through contributions from different sources. While education is a priority sector, student inflows have been found to be sensitive to economic conditions in their home countries and to the exchange rates (Papademetriou, Sumption & Somerville, 2009). Economic conditions and currency fluctuations influence the student flow between the host country and the source countries. Downturn has reduced the individual savings in sending countries. This would likely reduce the number of self-financed international students as they would prefer an educational institution closer to home. This is also because the students work during their studies in order to support themselves (Somerville & Sumption, 2009). Rationale for research Following the recession, the GDP of the UK contracted by 1.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the decline was unusually rapid over the entire year (Somerville & Sumption, 2009). This downturn has been unusual as all sectors have been hit. The effect of recession is very prominent in the international students’ inflow in the UK. Students account for a quarter of total of migrants into the UK and the UK is the second most important destination country for international students worldwide. The precise number of international students in the UK is not known but as per the figures of 2008-09 approximately 214,000 non EU students studied at the public-funded schools in the UK (UKCISA, 2010). The non EU students are bound to pay the entire costs of the education which typically ranges between ?8,000 and ?15,000. The fees from the international students account for 10-30% of the income of the universities. This translates into ?2.5bn earnings of the UK universities with another ?2.5bn spend by international students on goods and services. This contribution is only from the public –funded colleges and when the earnings of the private colleges are added, the international students contribute about ?8.5bn to the UK economy. About 26 UK institutions derive at least 10% of their income from foreign students’ fees (Somerville & Sumption, 2009). The UK receives the highest number of students from China. During the Asian crisis on 1997 also the flow of Malaysian students to the UK was affected (Somerville & Sumption, 2009). In addition the UK universities face stiff competition from the US and Canada international schools. The global market for international students is increasingly competitive (Bodycott, 2009). This results in the UK universities incurring loss of revenue. Under the circumstances, the UK universiti ...Download file to see next pagesRead More