In its annual financial health of the sector report, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, issues a warning of the risks facing the sector if overseas student fees decline.

Higher education institutions in England have predicted their income from international student fees will hit £4.8bn by 2018/19, a third more than in 2014/15, according to HEFCE. However, the funding body has warned the increase may be based on optimistic forecasting of international student growth.

Independent higher education providers in the UK are concerned that the ‘provisional bronze’ awarded to them under the government’s new Teaching Excellence Framework could damage their reputation and recruitment efforts.

Transnational education (TNE) was worth £469m to UK universities in 2012-13, according to a report from BIS. Meanwhile, new research from HEFCE shows TNE students are helping to make up England's shortfall in incoming international student numbers.

There has been a drop in demand for English higher education among international students for the first time since 1985, research has confirmed. The number of full-time EU undergraduate entrants fell by nearly a quarter in 2012-13, while Indian and Pakistani enrolments have halved since 2010.

Financial results from HEFCE show a deceleration in international student numbers in UKHE but an increase in reliance on overseas fees income. The country's HE funding model has recently come under scrutiny; the HE Commission has launched an inquiry into financial sustainability.

UK universities expect their revenue from international students to grow by 24.5% in the next three years, according to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, however there is a "significant risk" demand could fall due to UK visa policy. In cash terms, the sector is expecting overseas fee income to rise from £2,513 million to £3,459 million by 2014-15.

A university comparison site has been launched by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) providing information on 30,000 undergraduate degree courses in the UK. Business Secretary Vince Cable said it would empower students and keep universities on their toes.