Overseas Students

HC Deb 19 December 1980 vol 996 cc375-6W

Mr. McQuarrie

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many students from dependent territories are at present studying at universities and colleges in England (a) in total, (b) from each territory, and (c) at which educational establishments.

Dr. Boyson

Information relating to country of overseas students, defined as such for the purpose of fees, for the current academic year is not yet available. In 1979–80 a total of 5,982 students from British dependent territories were attending universities and further education establishments in England. These are tabulated for each territory below. 1,862 of these students were at universities and 4,120 at further education establishments. I regret that listings of establishments at which these students are in attendance could not be provided except at disproportionate cost.

Students from British Dependent Territories at Universities and Further Education Establishments in England
	Number
Belize	13
Bermuda	39
British Virgin Islands	2
Cayman Islands	5
Falkland Islands	1
Gibraltar	158
Hong Kong	5,753
Montserrat	2
New Hebrides	5
Pitcairn Islands	—
St. Helena	3
Turks and Caicos Islands	1
Total	5,982

Mr. David Steel

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the percentage drop in applications for university places for session 1981–82 for overseas students.

Dr. Boyson

Each year the Universities Central Council for Admissions issues a series of press notices on the number of applications for admission to undergraduate courses in United Kingdom universities. The latest such notice related to applications for entry in 1981 that had been received by 15 November 1980. Compared with the same period last year, applications from overseas candidates had fallen by 39 per cent..

As this estimate is based upon only about one-third of the overseas candidates who may eventually apply it is too early to estimate what the final number of applications for 1981 will be. I understand that the UCCA will shortly issue a further press notice giving the position at 1 December 1980.