University staff from overseas account for a
growing and sizeable proportion of tutors, researchers and technicians in
engineering and technology as well as biological, mathematical and physical
sciences, a new report finds today.
The statistics from
Universities UK’s [UUK] 2018 higher education in facts and figures report indicate that,
in 2016–17, 43% of engineering and technology staff at UK
universities were from outside of the UK (20% EU nationals and 23% non-EU
nationals).
The figure was almost
as high in the biological, mathematical and physical sciences, with 39% of
staff from overseas (24% EU nationals and 15% non–EU
nationals).
There
has been a steady increase in the amount of overseas staff over the last
decade. In 2007–08 non–UK academic staff accounted for 32% of those working at UK
universities in the biological, mathematical and physical sciences and the same
percentage in engineering and technology subjects.
In
the UK there remains a skills shortage in technical industries within STEM
subjects. A previous UUK report, Solving Future Skills
Challenges,
demonstrates the demand for higher level skills continues to grow and the
significance a higher education qualification can have.
Alistair
Jarvis, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “Staff and students
from overseas make a vital contribution to research and teaching at
universities. Four in ten academics in STEM (science, technology, engineering
and mathematics) are from overseas.”
“Our
future immigration system must allow talented staff and students to work and
study in the UK with minimal barriers.”
Other
key points from the report include:
Students
Median
graduate salaries in England were £10,000 higher than non-graduate
salaries in 2017.
In
2017 the high-skill employment rate (aged 16–64) was 56% higher for
postgraduates than non-graduates and 43% higher for graduates than
non-graduates.
In 2016–17 23% of UK-domiciled students were Black and
Minority Ethnic (BME), up 1% on 2015–16.
Staff
30% of academic staff are from outside the UK.
In 2016–17 46% of UK higher education
institutions academic staff were female, with 26% aged 34 and under, up
from 45% in 2015–16.
Finance
In
2016–17 17% of research income received by UK institutions came
from outside the UK, 11% from the EU.
Higher
education universities received income to the value of £35.7 billion in
2016–17, with total expenditure £34.5 billion.
Notes:
The
report evaluating Patterns and
trends in UK higher education 2018 provides comparative statistics in the amount of
academic staff by nationality.
Universities
UK is the collective voice of 137 universities in England, Scotland, Wales
and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to create the conditions for UK
universities to be the best in the world; maximising their positive impact
locally, nationally and globally. Universities UK acts on behalf of
universities, represented by their heads of institution. Visit: https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/.
