September 2007
In this Issue;
Key Facts: Staff at London HE institutions 2005/06
Highlights of the latest information on academic and non-academic staff at London's higher education institutions for 2005/06 include:
- 55,400 staff were employed in London’s HE sector;
- Of these, 46% were academics;
- There was a teacher:student ratio of 1 to 15.
More information can be found in the London Staff Fact sheet 2005/06 (PDF 0.10 MB) (Source: HESA Staff Record, 2005/06).
Key Facts: Students at London HE institutions 2005/06
A profile of students at London HEIs during 2005/06 has been compiled and some of the highlights include:
- Nearly 392, 000 students were registered at London HEIs;
- About 86,000 (22%) were based overseas on distance learning or external programmes;
- London has an ethnically diverse student population, with over half of home students classed as non-white;
- Excluding overseas based HE students, there were 181,500 female (60%) and 123,800 male (40%) students.
More information can be found in the London Students Fact sheet 2005/06 (PDF 0.10 MB) (Source: HESA Student Record, 2005/06).
Economic impact of London’s international students
In a recent report commissioned by London Higher, Oxford Economics estimated that the 86,000 international students in London contribute £1.5 billion to the economy and support 44,000 jobs in and around the capital.
Their contribution to London’s economy has doubled in the last five years and demonstrates the robust growth in the number of international students choosing to study in London. Broken down, London’s international students paid around £560 million in fees, contributed a further £800 million to GDP through subsistence spending, and a further £150 million from visits by friends and relatives in 2005/06.
The overall impact of London’s international students to the economy will be far wider as international students return to their home countries but maintain and strengthen the social, economic and cultural links with the city that were built up while they were studying in London.
Other key findings from the report:
- Three quarters of international students pay their own fees and do not receive a scholarship;
- It is estimated that 15% of international students remain in London and work on completing their studies;
- Fifty percent of international students are studying postgraduate programmes.
Further information from Kevin Mccarthy.
London Higher Members' Area on web site
A password protected Members' Area was launched in August 2007 and is now accessible by the London Higher Board, heads of institutions and nominated Membership Engagement co-ordinators.
The Members' Area contains quarterly Board meeting documents, draft reports, circulars and diary dates from the Executive at Senate House.
Recently uploaded reports include one on Research Council awards to London HEIs and a discussion document on the age profile of women academics in London.
A report is being prepared on the economic impact of London HEIs using the UUK/University of Strathclyde input-output model and will be posted next month.
The URL is http://www.londonhigher.ac.uk/members-area.html and please remember to read the Terms and Conditions since these pages contain material which is intended only for London Higher members and nominated representatives.
If you have not yet received log-in details then please email Paresh Shah for information.
Podium on track!
London Higher is proud to host PODIUM – The Further and Higher Education Unit for the 2012 Games. PODIUM has a full national remit and is funded by HEFCE and the LSC to work with FE and HE sectors and the Games authorities to support the successful staging and delivery of the 2012 Games.
PODIUM was launched on 16th June 2007 at the ICC in Birmingham and is developing work plans for five Action Strands which are:
- Community Engagement;
- Skills and Employability;
- Elite and Competitive Sport;
- Cultural Olympiad;
- Business and Enterprise.
PODIUM is also initiating an "Early Wins" programme of activities to take place over the next 12 months.
PODIUM currently has four members of staff: Kate Potter (Head), Gareth Smith (Deputy Head), Uhuru Socha (London Project Manager) and Charlotte Foster (Communications Officer).
For more information please contact charlotte@podium.ac.uk or visit PODIUM's web site and sign up for the monthly newsletter at www.podium.ac.uk.
Updated part-time HE funding leaflet
The leaflet Higher Returns on financial support for part-time higher education courses has been updated for 2007/08, as has the web page containing FAQs on part-time HE funding.
Email Naz Khan for further information.
Meetings and Events
Delhi/Mumbai 20-21 November 2007
As part of the Mayor's visit to Delhi and Mumbai, London Higher will be hosting events to promote the breath, depth and diversity of London’s educational sector to the media, Indian higher education institutions and prospective students.
In Delhi, the event will take place on 20 November 2007 with a panel debate on the latest research in stem cell and neurosciences, highlighting London's position as an international hub for science. In Mumbai we will be hosting an event on 21 November 2007 to promote London as the place to study global business and finance with a masterclass on the international flows of financial capital.
If you would like more information, enquire about participation and/ or invite people to the events, please contact Kevin McCarthy.
Washington, USA, May 2008
NAFSA, the largest educational fair in the world, will take place in Washington in May 2008. London Higher, in association with the Mayor’s Office and Visit London, is proposing to host an invitation-only "London reception" to promote London as a study abroad destination to US educational representatives.
We will be contacting institutions who regularly attend NAFSA in the coming weeks to see who would like to be involved but if you are worried that you may be missed out or would like more information, then please contact Kevin McCarthy.
LONDON HIGHER t. 020 7664 4843 | London Higher is a membership organization that promotes and acts as an advocate for London’s higher education. It is an "umbrella" body for 41 member universities and higher education colleges. This makes London Higher the largest and most varied of the higher education regional associations in the UK. |