Education Sector Dismayed At Brexit

The United Kingdom (UK) referendum result on June 24 in favour of leaving the European Union (EU) has led to fear and dismay in higher education circles of the possible adverse impact. We look at some of the immediate reactions and likely scenario.

With the UK referendum result in favour of leaving the EU, association of Universities as well as individual institutions have rushed in to reassure students, faculty and others that efforts would be made to lessen any adverse impact on the sector.

The result has led to considerable dismay and concern in higher education circles who foresee not only a significant drop in international students and faculty but also the drying up of funds and collaborative projects from abroad.

The vote is also expected to adversely affect the employment potential of the sector. An open letter by the heads of 103 universities stated that every year, the universities generate more than £73 billion for the UK economy that includes £3.7 billion from students on the rolls from EU countries, while supporting nearly 380,000 jobs.

The result has led to considerable dismay and concern in higher education circles who foresee not only a significant drop in international students and faculty but also the drying up of funds and collaborative projects from abroad.

As far as the students are concerned, some 75% in the age group of 18 to 24 voted Remain, compared to around 40% of over 65s.

Significantly, The UK has 14 of Europe’s top-ranked business schools that get more students from other countries with the proportion of British students having dropped from 58% in 2007-08 to 49% at present. Also, most of the top School’s faculty is from outside, in the case of Oxford Said, it is upto 60%.

Meanwhile, Dame Julia Goodfellow, President of Universities UK, a 133-member representative organisation for universities pointed out that leaving the EU would create significant challenges for universities.

“Although this is not an outcome that we wished or campaigned for, we respect the decision of the UK electorate. We should remember that leaving the EU will not happen overnight – there will be a gradual exit process with significant opportunities to seek assurances and influence future policy,” she added.

“Throughout the transition period our focus will be on securing support that allows our universities to continue to be global in their outlook, internationally networked and an attractive destination for talented people from across Europe. These features are central to ensuring that British universities continue to be the best in the world,” Goodfellow said in a statement.

She said UUK’s first priority would be to convince the Government to take steps to ensure that staff and students from EU countries could continue to work and study at British universities in the long term, and to promote the UK as a welcoming destination for the brightest and best minds.

“They make a powerful contribution to university research and teaching and have a positive impact on the British economy and society. We will also prioritise securing opportunities for our researchers and students to access vital pan-European programmes and build new global networks,” she added.

Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge said there would be no immediate change to the University’s teaching, research and other activities.

While the impact of leaving the EU will have on UK policy on higher education tuition fees, loans and bursaries is not yet known, he said undergraduate EU students already studying at Cambridge or who have an offer to study at the University or who apply in 2016 to start their studies in 2017, will continue to be charged the UK fee rate applicable at the time, provided this continues to be permitted by UK law. The fee rate may be subject to increases, which may be annual.

“The University will work with the Government to ensure it takes steps to ensure that staff and students from the EU can continue to work and study in this country. Cambridge thrives as part of a wide international community of academic staff and students, and we remain deeply committed to global cooperation and our dedicated staff who come from all over the world,” he added.

Imperial College President Alice Gast and Provost James Stirling in a statement to the staff and students, said, “Imperial is, and will remain, a European university, whatever your view of the referendum outcome. We are very proud of the innovations, ideas and inspiration that come from the European members of Imperial’s global community.

They said political changes would not hold Imperial back from delivering excellence in research and education for the benefit of global society.

“Our European students, staff and partners are crucial to the current and future success of this great university, and we look forward to continued strong ties with Europe and the world over the coming years,” they added.

“We are urgently seeking clarification from the government on the visa and fee status of non-UK European Union students, as well as other key policy areas for the College as the UK negotiates its future relationship with Europe,” they said.

Imperial College faculty had, in collaboration with peers from EU countries, produced more than 60,000 research papers.

National Union of Students President Megan Dunn said as Higher education receives considerable funding through EU institutions, this result will place significant pressures on the universities.

Meanwhile, job prospects for MBAs could also take a hit with PwC estimating that 100,000 jobs could be lost. As many as 1.1 million are employed in financial services across the UK. Overseas banks using the UK as a base for accessing the EU market. have an estimated 115,000 employees. (Image Courtesy : pixabay.com)