New Data Show Increased Number of British Students Studying in the US

Rising tuition fees and limited places at UK universities set to fuel this trend for 2011-12 and beyond

Data released today by the Institute for International Education (IIE) in its Open Doors 2010 report show the number of British students in the US increased for the second year in a row. A record 8,861 UK students studied at American universities in 2009-10, marking a 2% increase from the previous year. This is in contrast to a 4% decrease in European students studying in the States that year including a 12% decrease at the undergraduate level.

Commenting on the increase, Lauren Welch, Director of Advising said: "This is particularly good news for US universities. Keep in mind the students in the Open Doors data applied to the States in autumn 2008, right as the recession was hitting home in the UK. At a time when members of the British public were counting every penny, students still saw the value of investing in study abroad."

What will rising tuition fees and limited places at UK universities mean for 2011-12 and beyond? Anecdotal evidence gathered by The Fulbright Commission suggests British student interest is set to rise dramatically. Fulbright's advising centre is buzzing with calls and visitors. Traffic to its popular website on US study has risen by 30%, with 90,000 visitors this year. Attendance at its recent USA College Day was up by 50%, as 4,000 students and parents packed into the fair to find out more about undergraduate study in the States.

Summarising the sentiments of students using Fulbright's advising centre, Ms Welch adds: "British students and parents are feeling the squeeze between rising tuition and budget cuts at UK universities. The gap is closing rapidly between tuition rates in both countries, and students are going to study where they can get the most bang for their buck. Many students are saying when you're already paying up to £9,000, what's another £3,000 to study in the States?"

To gain a snapshot of the situation on the ground, staff polled 75 students and parents last weekend. Three fourths of them agreed that tuition rates of £6,000 would increase their chances of applying to US universities. That figure rose to 90%, when asked about a possible increase to £9,000.

Another factor driving students abroad is a concern that places at UK universities will be limited again this year. Ms Welch notes, "When 1 in 3 UCAS applicants did not get a place last August, it sent off alarm bells at dinner tables right around the country. More students are throwing their hats into the ring in other countries to increase their chances of having at least one offer come next summer."

US institutions are seizing the opportunity to recruit international students this year, including those from the UK.Despite the economic downturn, a record number of universities attended Fulbright's USA College Day fair in September, and many are returning to the UK for second or even third recruitment trips for the year. Highlighting this trend, in a survey released by IIE today, two thirds of US universities report taking special steps to grow the number of overseas students on their campuses.

And the traffic is not only one way: Also reported in today's Open Doors report, the UK remains the leading destination for American students studying abroad. With 31,342 Americans at British universities, the UK hosts 12% of all students studying abroad from American universities.

Enquiries:
US-UK Fulbright Commission - EducationUSA
Lauren Welch, Director, Fulbright Advisory Service
020 7498 4019 or 075 3371 4960
press@fulbright.co.uk

 
Notes to Editors:

About the US-UK Fulbright Commission:
The US-UK Fulbright Commission was created by treaty on 22 September 1948. The Fulbright Programme aims to foster mutual cultural understanding through educational exchange between both countries. This it achieves through a wide range of postgraduate and postdoctoral scholarships for US and UK citizens and through its advisory service.

About the Fulbright Advisory Service:
Fulbright offers an advisory service providing a wide range of information and events to support students, parents and advisors interested in US-UK exchange. As part of the EducationUSA network of over 450 advising centres worldwide, Fulbright's advising team is the official source of information on US higher education in the UK.

About the Open Doors report:
The Open Doors report is published by the Institute of International Education, the leading not-for-profit educational and cultural exchange organisation in the United States. IIE has conducted an annual statistical survey of the international students in the United States since 1919, and with support from the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) since the early 1970s. ECA manages a wide range of academic, professional and cultural exchanges, as well as the EducationUSA network. The census is based on a survey of approximately 3,000 accredited US institutions. A full press kit and further details on the Open Doors 2010 surveys and their findings can be accessed on www.iie.org/opendoors, and the full report can be ordered from IIE Books at www.iiebooks.org.