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UK Varsities To Layoff Workers, As Enrolment By Nigerians, Others Dwindle

No fewer than 15 universities in the United Kingdom have announced plans to sack some workers and even stop running some courses because of the sharp decline in enrolment by foreign students including Nigerians.

According to a report by University World News, the sharp decline in foreign students enrolment was particularly felt at the postgraduate level.

The development is also connected to the decision by the UK government to reduce international students, as some concessions given them that level have been whittled down.

Also, there are concerns too that the high cost of living being experienced globally may negatively affect enrolment of foreign students at the undergraduate level.

From the prestigious Russell Group Universities to mid-tier universities and Scottish institutions, the current situation is not sparing most universities.

Robert Gordon University (RGU) recently introduced a voluntary severance scheme in the face of staff redundancy due to its financial difficulties as a result of a notable decline in international student enrollments, a consequence of post-Brexit alterations in UK immigration policies.

RGU cited escalating cost pressures and a considerable reduction in public funding as contributing factors.