I was pleased to join the panel at the recent launch of the HEPI/UUKi/Kaplan report on the benefits and costs of international higher education students to the UK economy.
The report is the third in the series on this topic that was first done with the 2015–16 cohort and replicated with the 2018–19 and 20–21 cohorts. It analyses the direct, indirect, and induced benefits of the 679,970 international students studying in the UK, calculating their contribution to be £41.9bn gross and £37.4bn net.
The analysis disaggregates the benefits at a regional and parliamentary constituency level, making a powerful case for the levelling up impact of international students in higher education. At a net economic impact per student of £125,000 per EU domiciled student and £96,000 per non-EU student, the benefits are evident all across the UK: in Sheffield Central (£277.9m), Newcastle upon Tyne East (£264.4m), and Birmingham Selly Oak (£155.4m).
