“完美风暴”席卷英国高校，接收美国留学生能否缓解财政危机？

Core Insights - The UK higher education sector is facing significant financial pressures, leading to widespread layoffs, course closures, and restructuring plans across nearly 100 universities [1][2][4]. Financial Performance - The total revenue for the UK higher education sector for the 2023/2024 academic year is projected to be £52.3 billion, with 52% of this revenue coming from tuition fees, and international student fees accounting for an average of 23% of total income [4]. - A report from the Office for Students (OfS) indicates that 43% of surveyed institutions expect to run deficits in the 2024/2025 academic year, marking the third consecutive year of declining financial performance [1]. International Student Enrollment - The number of international student visas issued by the UK government decreased by approximately 64,000 in 2024, a decline of 13.9% compared to the previous year, with significant reductions in visas for students from India (26% decrease) and Nigeria (55% decrease) [5]. - The attractiveness of studying in the UK peaked in 2022, but has since declined due to slow economic recovery post-pandemic and changes in visa policies [5][6]. Domestic Student Trends - The cap on tuition fees for full-time undergraduate students in England has remained at £9,250 since 2012, with a slight increase planned for the 2025/2026 academic year [6]. - The enrollment rate for 18-year-olds in higher education has dropped from a peak of 38.2% in 2021 to 36.4% in 2024, indicating a potential decline in domestic student interest [6]. Institutional Responses - In response to financial challenges, universities are implementing cost-cutting measures, including course cancellations, reduced maintenance budgets, and layoffs, with 50% of surveyed institutions reporting course cancellations [7][8]. - The financial strain is affecting the job market for academic positions, leading to increased competition as experienced faculty return to the job market [8]. Government Policies and Future Outlook - The UK government has proposed a 6% tax on revenue from international student tuition fees, with limited details on how the funds will be utilized [9]. - The potential for attracting international students from the US due to changing policies there is being discussed, but long-term impacts on global academic collaboration remain uncertain [10][11].