How will Brexit affect our student population?
Students are currently split into two groups: Home/EU and International.
In terms of EU recruitment it has the possibility of causing catastrophic effects as currently a large number of EU students have access to the student loans which make studying at a UK University a very real possibility rather than a distant pipe dream. If the student loans stop (they are currently protected by EU Law) then expect about a 75% reduction (at least) in EU student recruitment to the UK and a 95% reduction in specific countries such as Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Lithuania, Poland etc.
However, the student loan system is also not the only major problem that could effect EU student recruitment it is also the uncertainty as to whether EU students will be able to stay in the UK on completion of their degree to work which is a massive, massive draw. Currently EU students can through the freedom of movement, however, International students had their post study work visas withdrawn 5 or 6 years ago so if EU students have to fall into line with International students then it is unlikely they will be allowed to.
Saying all of this paradoxically Brexit has actually been good for International student recruitment due to the pound weakening which makes it even more affordable for students across the world to come and study in the UK so the light is still on and burning brightly for the Chinese especially!
If the government do decide that EU students cannot access the loan and work after their degree they then are going to find a massive hole in money coming into the UK and a massively depleting workforce! Honestly I have no idea which way they are going to go, however, the likes of the Netherlands, Danish universities etc. are sitting in the wings licking their lips ready to mop up all of these students.
The likes of Canada and New Zealand in particular are also really upping their game in terms of international student recruitment so they are now serious considerations for students, alongside the UK and the US (although we have yet to understand the Trump effect yet!) so the whole industry is very volatile at the moment and with the new REF results being introduced then it would not surprise me if a couple of Universities closed down altogether. Warwick and Coventry will not be one of them though.