International Students in Europe: Is the UK Losing Out on the 'Brightest and Best'?

LONDON, June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Comparative study on the staying intentions of international students in 5 EU countries

The study, "Mobile Talent? The Staying Intentions of International Students in Five EU countries" compared European frameworks for international students and investigated the staying intentions of 6,239 non-EU international students in the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

The report, published by the Research Unit of the Expert Council of German Foundations on Integration and Migration (SVR), found too little is being done to support the transition of international students into the labour market after graduation.

The UK tightens rules while international competitors do the opposite

• The UK is a major player in international higher education but its position is being challenged.
• While it tightens the rules, other European countries are liberalising post-study work regimes.

Not all international students are migrants 'in waiting'

• International students do not generally perceive themselves as long-term migrants, they are mainly looking for the best quality education and first job experience.
• The UK had the lowest percentage wishing to stay: 51.4% of Masters students in the UK said they were thinking of staying after their studies (79.8% in Germany, 75.7% in Sweden, 65.4% in France, 64% in the Netherlands). Only 5.3% expected to stay for more than 5 years.

The UK is popular, but not the most hospitable place to study

• 46.1% felt they were not welcome to stay and work in the UK (24.8% felt they were welcome).
• Although better than other countries, more than 1 in 4 international students in the UK (27.4%) said they had encountered discrimination.

Full press release, please visit: http://www.svr-migration.de/content/?p=4141&lang=en

For questions, please contact:

Dr. Alex Balch, University of Liverpool
+44-7855-775-120, abalch@liv.ac.uk