Question on EU students paying international fees following Brexit from Lord Fox

Written question answered on Tuesday 20 March 2018  

Lord Fox (Liberal Democrat) asked Her Majesty’s Government whether they have run an impact study on the likely effect on UK university finances of EU students having to pay international fees following Brexit; and if so, what was the outcome of that study.

Answered on 20 March 2018 by the Viscount Younger of Leckie, Lords Spokesperson (Department for Education) (Higher Education): 

EU students, staff and researchers make an important contribution to our universities. We want that contribution to continue and are confident – given the quality of our higher education sector – that it will.

Analysis of Higher Education Statistics Agency finance data shows that in 2015/16, EU tuition fee income accounted for around 2.3% of total higher education institution sector income in the UK. However, some institutions are more dependent on the EU tuition fee income meaning the impact of leaving the EU may be greater for some institutions than others. The precise impact will depend on the outcome of the UK’s negotiations with the EU and the subsequent response of universities.