Does the proportion of UK domiciled students in the UK PG population matter?
12. The proportion of UK-domiciled students in the UK postgraduate population certainly matters, as it is essential that the supply of postgraduates with these high-level skills is sufficient both to fill vacancies in academic posts and to meet the needs of business and other sectors. It has been argued that a high proportion of overseas students return home either on completion of their studies or within five years. For example, in 2007 the Council for industry and Higher Education recommended that: “Businesses may want to consider how far they need more postgraduates. In a post-Bologna Europe where the length of a first degree is closer to the current English three/four year model, the knowledge depth from a first degree may not be sufficient. The Government will want to consider whether it needs to develop policies that support such provision. Currently some 39% of postgraduates are international students. They underpin the survival of many departments. But an increasing number retu
