UK Universities in Crisis: Over 10,000 Jobs at Risk as International Student Numbers Plummet

The UK's higher education sector is facing an unprecedented crisis, with thousands of university jobs at risk amid a sharp decline in international student enrolment. Universities have announced budget cuts exceeding £238 million, with individual deficits surpassing £30 million. If these financial shortfalls are addressed solely through staff reductions, nearly 5,000 additional job losses could follow, bringing the total estimated redundancies to over 10,000.

International students, once a key source of revenue for UK universities, are now reconsidering the UK as a study destination due to overcomplicated visa policies, rising tuition fees, and course cancellations. With fewer students enrolling—particularly from China and the EU—universities' financial outlook is set to deteriorate further, prompting urgent calls for government intervention.

Mass Job Cuts Across UK Universities

The scale of job cuts is staggering, with around 90 universities currently implementing compulsory and voluntary redundancy schemes. So far, four universities—two from the prestigious Russell Group—have announced 1,000 job losses, according to the University and College Union (UCU).

• Cardiff University is considering cuts to its nursing programmes.
• Hull University has threatened to axe its chemistry department.
• Northumbria University may eliminate business and language courses.
• Edinburgh University is looking to cut £140 million from staffing and operational costs.
• Strathclyde University has begun selling assets to stay afloat.

The situation is particularly dire at Dundee University, which has announced 635 job losses, including 200 academic staff and 435 support roles, in a desperate bid to manage its £35 million deficit. The institution is also looking to sell intellectual property and buildingswhile tightening operational expenses.

In response, the UCU has launched the 'Stop the Cuts, Fund Higher Education Now' campaign, urging the Labour government to step in and provide emergency funding to prevent further job losses. However, with international student numbers continuing to decline, the sector's long-term stability remains uncertain.

China's Declining Presence in UK Universities

Chinese students have historically been the largest group of international students in the UK, contributing £2.3 billion in tuition fees annually. However, their numbers are in steady decline.

• Chinese undergraduate admissions fell by 7.7% over the past two years.
• Applications for the 2024 academic year dropped by a staggering 37%, from 31,400 to 19,680, according to Universities UK.

The impact of this decline is particularly severe at top universities, where Chinese students make up a significant percentage of total enrolments:

• 49.9% of international students at the University of Manchester.
• 50.3% at the University of Birmingham.

With fewer Chinese students choosing the UK, universities are facing major financial gaps, leading to cutbacks in courses and faculty. However, the dissatisfaction with UK higher education is not limited to international students—it is also being felt by local students.

Falling Enrolment Among White British Students

The number of white UK 'domiciled' students—those who are British nationals or have UK residency—has been declining for years.

• 2020-2021: White students accounted for 73% of UK university enrolments.
• 2021-2022: The figure dropped to 72%.
• 2022-2023: The downward trend continued, further reducing the proportion of white students in UK universities.

Part of this decline is linked to Brexit, which has impacted EU student enrolments.

EU Students Turn Away from UK Universities Post-Brexit

Before Brexit, the UK was a top destination for students from France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. However, since the end of free movement, EU students enrolling in UK universities no longer qualify for home fee status or student loans, making UK education a far less attractive option.

Between 2020-2021 and 2022-2023, all UK regions except Northern Ireland saw a sharp decline in EU student numbers, with some experiencing reductions of over 70%:

• France: -34.3%
• Germany: -38%
• Italy: -50.1%
• Poland: -78.4%
• Romania: -82.3%

The UK's restrictive visa policieshave also driven away students from Latin America, Africa, and Asia.

The Decline of Non-EU International Students

According to recent data, entry rates among non-EU students have also fallen:

• Non-specified Asian students: -1 percentage point (from 54.9% in 2021 to 53.9% in 2022).
• 'Mixed' ethnic group: -1.5 percentage points (from 40.8% to 39.3%).
• 'Other' ethnic group: -0.3 percentage points (from 48.1% to 47.8%).

Why Are International Students Choosing Other Destinations?

A recent IDP Education Emerging Futures survey highlighted several major deterrents for international students:

• 29% of students abandoned plans to study abroad due to stricter UK visa processes.
• 35% cited higher visa costs as a significant barrier.
• New UK visa rules limit student dependents, affecting postgraduate students who might have previously chosen the UK.

As a result, international student applications dropped by 16% in mid-2024, pushing students to consider alternative destinations:

• Australia (24%) now ranks as the most popular choice for international students.
• The US (23%) is the second most popular destination.
• The UK (21%) is losing ground in the race for global talent.

The Future of UK Higher Education: What Lies Ahead?

The combination of mass job losses, declining student numbers, and financial instability has put the UK's higher education sector on a precarious path.

• Course closures and staff redundancies may further damage the UK's reputation as a global education hub.
• Stricter immigration policies continue to deter international students.
• Rising living costs and tuition fees are making UK universities increasingly unaffordable.

If these pressing issues remain unaddressed, the crisis could deepen—resulting in further declines in enrolment, reduced diversity, and the loss of the UK's competitive edge in higher education. With international students turning towards more welcoming destinations, urgent policy changes may be needed to revitalise the sector before the damage becomes irreversible.