Description: Joint Labor-Public Economics Workshop/Economics Department Seminar
Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes

Location: 368A Heady Hall

Title: "International Student Applications in the United Kingdom After Brexit"

Abstract: On June 23, 2016, the people of the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union.  We examine how this decision (henceforth, Brexit) has impacted international student applications in the United Kingdom. Using administrative data spanning from 2013 through 2019, along with a quasi-experimental approach, we find evidence of Brexit curtailing the growth rate of international student applications by seven percent.  The impact appears larger for applications to pursue STEM studies, especially in life sciences, engineering, computer science and medicine. Furthermore, applications have dropped the most among EU students originating from countries with worse employment prospects and weaker economies for whom the ability to stay in the United Kingdom after their studies might have been a critical pull factor. Finally, the drop in applications has resulted in fewer international enrolments. Given the contributions of international student exchanges to research, development and growth, further research on the implications of Brexit for UK universities and the ability to attract valuable talent is well-warranted.

Contact person: John Winters