Clearing can be a very competitive time as students making last minute decisions and those who didn’t quite get the grades seek alternative arrangements. This year though, with so much at stake, some universities are offering sweeteners to entice students. University places are now, in some cases, coming with offers of electronics and even tuition-free PG studies.
Why Are They Offering Perks?
The major reason is believed to be the Brexit vote. We knew it would have a negative effect on academia. Now, it seems a large number of international students – from within the EU and from outside – have decided that they no longer wish to study in the UK. ERASMUS students are concerned that long-term funding cannot be guaranteed and are looking for university places on the continent. Aberystwyth University was amongst the first to confirm that some 100 EU students had cancelled places in the wake of the Brexit result. Recruiters Hobsons reported similar data.
Other Factors
The survey suggested that as many as 1/3 of international students who had places at British universities no longer want them. However, Brexit is not the only reason for this, but it has compounded a delicate situation. Student numbers had been falling in recent years thanks to higher tuition fees. These have been putting some younger people off, particularly boys, and it is not a great situation for the universities or for the country. Universities are concerned about a larger than normal number of unfilled places for this year.
What Are The Perks?
British universities are using a number of perks to entice students to apply. Amongst them are the following.
- University of Sheffield is offering free Master’s Degrees (tuition value £10,000) for students enrolling in undergraduate courses.
- York University is offering substantial discount on postgraduate courses for students who enrol as undergraduates
- Kingston University in London continue the trend in offering 25% discount on Master’s degrees for those who register for undergraduate courses
- De Montfort University are offering tickets to watch live games for Premier League Champions Leicester City
- At Kent University, anybody who successfully signs up a sibling will receive a £1,000 discount for postgraduate courses and 10% discount off the first year tuition for the sibling(s)
Others are offering, or are considering offering, useful electronics such as ipads to aid studies. Others are reported to offer air miles or free airport transfers for students who need to fly in
How To Choose
It isn’t just the “lesser” universities offering these perks either. There are reports that Russell Group institutions, the elite universities, are putting together packages ahead of the A-Level results later this week. Our advice is to shop around. These perks may look great on paper, and they are compared to students who started their degrees last year, but the important thing is that you choose the right course and university for you.