§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the number of overseas students studying in the United Kingdom over the past five years to the latest available date; and if he will give the country of birth, Commonwealth, EEC and other countries.
§ Dr. BoysonStatistics for 1977–78 and earlier years are published in the British Council's annual volume "Statistics of Overseas Students in Britain", copies of which are in the Library. Provisional information for 1978–79 relating to students classified as "overseas" for fees purposes at universities and maintained, 649W assisted and grant-aided establishments of higher and further education in the United Kingdom, is set out below:
Country of origin Students COMMONWEALTH Canada 1,065 Cyprus 1,578 Hong Kong 5,133 India 1,170 Kenya 1,169 Malaysia 12,679 Nigeria 5,883 Rhodesia 1,534 Singapore 1,813 Sri Lanka 2,067 Countries where numbers are less than 1,000 8,610 Total 42,701 EEC Belgium 191 Denmark 158 France 501 Germany, Federal Republic of 1,028 Ireland, Republic of 739 Italy 363 Luxembourg 42 Netherlands 316 Total 3,338 OTHER FOREIGN Greece 3,153 Iran 9,151 Iraq 2,485 Jordan 1,876 Libya 1,014 Turkey 1,469 United States of America 3,720 Countries where numbers are less than 1,000 17,935 Total 40,803 ALL COUNTRIES 86,842
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what the average cost to overseas students from Commonwealth, EEC and other countries was for degree courses over the past five years; and what the average cost will be during the next financial year.
§ Dr. BoysonNo precise information is available on the average cost to an overseas student for a degree course, or its equivalent, over the past five years. The best indication that can be given for the period is the recommended fee for a first degree course plus the rate of maintenance grant payable through a mandatory award to home students. The cost of travel from abroad is not included.
Following is the available information650W
Academic year Fee £ Maintenance* £ Total £ 1975–76 320 1,048 1,368 1976–77 416 1,218 1,634 1977–78 650 1,413 2,063 1978–79 705 1,549 2,254 1979–80 940 1,761 2,701 * Rate for ordinary maintenance (outside London) adjusted for a full year. Insufficient data is available to calculate the average cost for the next financial year.