A recent study has shown that international students studying at the University of Exeter contribute over UK£88 million a year to Exeter’s economy and support 2,880 jobs, equivalent to 2.8% of all employment in the city.
The independent report conducted by Oxford Economics also concluded that students from the university’s campuses in Exeter and Cornwall contribute over UK£104 million each year to the wider South West English economy, supporting 3,280 jobs across the region.
“As a leading British and international university, Exeter is committed to attracting the brightest and best students from around the world,” University of Exeter senior deputy vice-chancellor professor Neil Armstrong said. “For our local and regional economies, it is essential that the UK continues to welcome international students to its shores. This report shows that attracting such talent is having a positive and profound impact on us all.”
The report quantifies the positive impact the population of nearly 5,500 students from 140 different countries has on its local communities. International students now represent 30% of the university’s student body and pay around UK£55 million a year in tuition fees.
Compared with the figures from April 2010 – the last time a similar study was conducted – the contribution to Exeter’s economy from international students has increased by 54%, while supported employment has increased by 36%.
The contribution to Exeter’s economy from international students has increased by 54%
Economic evaluations focused on the amount of tuition fees paid to the university, along with spending on living expenses and by friends and relatives visiting from abroad.
“These figures are extremely gratifying, but of course there are many other benefits that international students bring, which cannot be quantified,” said Dr Shaun Curtis, director of International Exeter. “In recent years, I have been delighted to witness local people joining us for cultural events organised by international students, such as Chinese New Year and Diwali. Our international students tell us how welcome they feel in the South West and how much they benefit from engaging in our local traditions.”
