UK: Few Indian students opt for technology, science

The reduced number of Indian students this year has led to concerns in some British universities over the financial viability of courses and departments particularly in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

The reduced number of Indian students this year has led to concerns in some British universities over the financial viability of courses and departments particularly in the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

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As universities report a drop of between 20 and 30% of Indian students in the forthcoming academic year starting later this month, the drop has caused much concern over the future of STEM courses that have been popular among postgraduate Indian students.

In oral evidence presented to the Business, Innovation and Skills Committee of parliament, senior figures in higher education and industry noted the concern among vice-chancellors about the impact of less Indian students on the financial viability of STEM courses.

The committee, which published its report on ‘Overseas Students and Net Migration’ last week, recommended that Indian and other non-EU students should be removed from overall immigration figures since most of them return home after their courses.

The recommendation, however, was rejected by the government keen to cut immigration from outside the EU. Nicola Dandridge, chief executive of Universities UK, which represents varsities and higher education institutions, told the committee that vice-chancellors were “concerned” about the impact of less Indian students on STEM subjects. She said: “I think it is too early to draw apocalyptic conclusions about the closures of departments.

It is apparent now, because of the reduction of Indian students — students coming from the Indian subcontinent to study STEM subjects — that is where there are already questions being asked about the sustainability of certain subjects”.