Increase in UK Applications to Maastricht University
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In light of the proposed tuition fee increases for 2012, British applications to Maastricht University in the Netherlands (pictured) have increased tenfold. The University is regarded as one of the leading higher education institutions in Europe, and currently requires students to pay £1,526 per annum for tuition, which is not expected to rise. The new popularity of overseas universities reflects what British academics are calling the ‘brain drain’ as students take their studies elsewhere.
UK applications to Masstricht University numbered 106 last year, compared to a striking 400 this year, and figures could rise higher as admissions for autumn will not close until this August. Maastricht offers eight subjects taught in English including European public health, European law, IT, life sciences and fiscal economics. The increase in applications not only reflects students’ concern over tuition fees increasing to potentially £9,000, but also the increase in UCAS applications for the upcoming academic year.
Redbrick reported earlier this year on the increase in all university applications (although a smaller rise than 2010) and now predictions are being made that potentially 200,000 students will be unsuccessful. Comparatively, one considerable difference between the Dutch and UK high education system is the number of students who get places on the courses they choose. Entry requirements are low in Dutch universities to accommodate everyone and allow all students a chance – and whilst the dropout rate is initially high, it goes on to fall quickly.
With uncertainty in the UK, this ‘trend’ will extend beyond the Netherlands, according to the Guardian, already demonstrated in a rise in British students’ interest in the universities of Valencia and Milan. Universities worldwide have improved their recruitment drive in the UK to reflect the number of British students failing to get places at institutions here. Last year, reports listed 22,000 students studying for degrees abroad, a rise from the previous year. These overseas universities base their appeal on their low tuition fees, significant government funding and superb facilities and chance of grants and allowances for foreign students.
In a recent visit to Maastricht University, Geoff Lucas, general secretary of the Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC) said it was ‘impressive’ in terms of ‘value for money and the quality of the student experience, the high contact education and the career opportunities.’ He added that the rise in applications for overseas universities is ‘a side-effect they didn’t see coming. It will certainly test all their heated rhetoric about how we live in a global economy when our universities suddenly have serious competition.’
Written by Edwina Moorhouse