International students put £170m into NI

A STUDY by a leading education think-tank has found that international students provide an annual boost of £170m to Northern Ireland’s economy.

The study by the Higher Education Policy Institute examined the intake of international students for the year 2015/16, and found a total of 231,065 enrolled in undergraduate and masters courses across the UK.

Northern Ireland was the region least favoured by travelling students, with a total of 2,445.

London was the region with the most students, with an intake of 55,455. Scotland saw an intake of 25,380 students, while the South East received 26,775.

The report examined the financial contribution of students based on tuition fees, accommodation and other living costs.

Balanced against the costs overseas students are likely to place on the economy, the report found students from outside the EU can make an average net contribution of £95,000 to the UK economy during their stay.