Education in UK now cheaper for Indian students

LONDON: The number of Indian students coming to British universities has dwindled in recent years, but there is some cheer for those enrolling for the new academic

LONDON: The number of Indian students coming to British universities has dwindled in recent years, but there is some cheer for those enrolling for the new academic year later this month: the fall in pound’s value after the June 23 Brexit vote has brought down the cost of study here.

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From a high of around Rs 100 to a pound before the Brexit vote, the value is hovering around Rs 88, making the amount needed in rupees to meet the cost of annual fees cheaper by nearly Rs 1.5 lakh (on a notional annual course fee of 10,000 pounds).

“There is always a silver lining in everything and for Indian students, Brexit has brought about just this silver lining. The recent weakening of sterling is a welcome change for many current and new students joining British universities this year,” said Sanam Arora of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (UK).

“This significant fall in costs is a short-term trend and would advise students to both take full advantage of this cheaper pound but at the same time be cautious and not base long-term decisions on uncertain market movements” she told HT.

Course fees for Indian and other non-EU students vary at different universities and for different subjects, but are usually substantially more than those applicable to UK/EU students, which is currently set at 9,000 pounds, but is likely to rise. The number of Indian students enrolling in UK decreased since 2012 when the post-study work visa was abolished.