London Mayor Ken Livingstone and London Higher, the representative organisation for London’s universities and higher education colleges, have published a new study that estimates London’s 86,000 international students contribute over £1.5 billion to the capital’s economy and generate around 44,000 jobs.
Undertaken by Oxford Economics the research found that international students paid around £560 million in tuition fees, and spent £800 million during the period 2005/6. Visits by friends and relatives added a further £150 million to the capital’s economy.
Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone said it was “a tribute to the international character of London, and its cultural diversity that it is the city of choice for so many international students who want to study abroad.”
“London has the largest number of international students of any city in the world – even not taking into account students from the EU. In turn the capital’s economy benefits enormously from their presence. We should continue to do all we can to spread the message that students coming to London will not only receive the best possible education but they will also be given the warmest welcome.”
Malcolm Gillies, Vice-Chancellor and President, City University London and London Higher Board member said the cpaital is “the centre of the world and I knew that when I came here to study at the age of eighteen. With over forty higher education institutions London offers every field of study, in countless different variations.”
“Our programmes relate directly to the industries and professions of Europe’s largest city. From an education in London you gain skills, cultural experiences and social interactions that few cities can rival. And, with well recognized qualifications, you lay the basis to a career that could take you anywhere in the world.”
