American students shunning British universities while Chinese arrive in strength

The number of Chinese students arriving at British universities has risen by almost 15% in a year while the number of American students has fallen by a similar level.

Statistics from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service show 4,976 students from China will start higher education courses in the next term at the UK’s universities and colleges.

This represents a 14.7% rise on last year’s figure of 4,337, the highest recorded in recent years. In total, about 75,000 Chinese students study in Britain.

However there has also been a sharp fall in the number of American students being accepted onto courses at UK universities, down by 13% from 1,162 to 1,009. It is believed Britain struggles to recruit American students because the universities in the United States tend to be excellent if expensive.

Bill Rammell, the Higher Education minister, said: ‘These students will not only benefit from the excellent educational experience England offers, but also the opportunity to work in the UK for two years following graduation.’

Universities welcome overseas students because of the income they bring in.
Source: Daily Telegraph