UK universities are in expansion mode but their focus is on European students
Many British universities are in expansion mode as they loosen admission requirements to cater for more European students. But how will this affect enrolments from Asia
Many universities in England have lowered the A-level grade required for entry and are offering bursaries and other inducements to fill their places as the British government lifts the cap on student numbers for the first time from this academic year.
The changes, which took universities by surprise when announced by the government in December 2013, will increase universities' income from tuition fees. For both local and overseas students, it means greater opportunities to trade up to more prestigious universities, since institutions vie against each other for the best students.
After years of stiff competition to gain admission to top universities, it is now "a buyer's market for students", says Nick Hillman, director of the Higher Education Policy Institute.
A record 409,000 students have accepted university places to start the coming academic year, according to study figures.
Among the highly regarded universities expanding the number of undergraduate places in the next few years are the universities of Essex, Newcastle, Sheffield, Southampton and York. A number of prestigious London-based universities such as King's College, London School of Economics and University College London have ambitious new building plans in the pipeline which will increase the number of students in coming years.
A survey by the The Guardian found that almost half of universities in England plan to expand their undergraduate student enrolment over the next five years.