Degree Exodus?

Well, that is perhaps stretching a point but an article in yesterday's Sunday Times(scroll to bottom for relevant section) shows that European universities are seeing an increase in applications from British students.

Universities in Ireland, The Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway are probably the most likely beneficiaries but English-language education in other countries such as France, Spain and Italy could also see an increase in applications.

I would suggest that the increase in interest is motivated primarily by the shortage of places available at English universities because the "study now, pay later" financial model that tuition fees and student loans facilitate means that very few students are confronted with the financial reality of studying in this country; failing to find a place is a very different matter. As indicated in our previous post, when the only careers advice available is to defer university entry, students will start to look elsewhere for support.

We have now reached the Easter holidays but in the last two months I have spent almost every day in schools throughout England. Some of these schools have mentioned that their students are all placed (subject to grades) this year. However, there are an increasing number of schools who are worried about their Year 13 students and we are finding a greater willingness to consider international education.

Is this the best careers advice we can give British students?

On Wednesday this week Mary Curnock Cook, the Chief Executive of UCAS confirmed that as many as 50,000 students with good A’ level grades will miss out on places at UK universities this year. This is the first acknowledgement that it is the “better” students who are likely to be unsuccessful in their application or disappointed in the type of university that will accept them.

The only advice offered by UCAS is to defer entry for at least one year before reapplying, or think about going to university later in life. Aside from the fact that the UK job market makes it almost impossible to enter many professions without a degree, does asking students to wait until universities are ‘ready’ for them qualify as sensible careers advice?

While this will undoubtedly prove a boon to the GAP year industry it is unlikely to assist students who are increasingly conscious of the financial impact of higher education or the difficulty of finding employment as a young person in today’s economy.

For many students there is another option: going to university abroad. Many high quality universities around the world are ready and able to accept applications from British students. While there is still likely to be a high level of competition for places at the best international universities, many students will find that they are able to get on with their life plans without an unintended and unwished-for hiatus.

British universities are not the only route open to British students. There are plenty of alternatives in countries as nearby as France, Ireland and the Netherlands or further afield in USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

A Star Future has been advising schools and students about such opportunities since 2006 and we anticipate a busy few months.

Return of the Top Universities Fair

I will be visiting the Top Universities Fair in London on Friday 12th March to visit Universita Bocconi and University of Newcastle who are sending over representatives for the event. It is at Earls Court this year which means we are unlikely to see a repeat of the long waiting times when the fair was at the Science Museum last year. While at least half of the exhibitors are actually UK universities there is a fair representation of international universities so it promises to be worth a look.

As I have posted earlier on this blog, A Star Future remain unconvinced by the value of such events for promoting international education. However, as international education becomes a more attractive option for many British students this will change at some point.

If you are going to the fair and would like to meet up either send me an email or tweet me at astarfuture.