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International student applications in the UK after Brexit

Author

Listed:
  • Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes
  • Agnese Romiti

Abstract

On 23 June 2016, the people of the UK voted to leave the European Union. This article examines how Brexit impacted international student applications. Using administrative data along with a difference-in-differences approach, we find that Brexit curtailed the growth rate of international student applications by 7 per cent even before tuition fees had changed, ultimately lowering enrolment as well. The impact is larger for applications to pursue STEM studies, as well as for those from countries with worse employment prospects and weaker economies, hinting on students’ ability to stay long-term in the UK as an important pull factor.

Suggested Citation

  • Catalina Amuedo-Dorantes & Agnese Romiti, 2024. "International student applications in the UK after Brexit," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 24(5), pages 637-662.
    • Handle: RePEc:oup:jecgeo:v:24:y:2024:i:5:p:637-662.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shrestha, Samyam & Sant’Anna, Hugo, 2026. "The end of free movement and international migration," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 259(C).
    2. Ruth Neville & Francisco Rowe & Emilio Zagheni, 2026. "Machine learning forecasts suggest a concentration paradox in international student mobility to the United Kingdom," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 17(1), pages 1-9, December.
    3. Bosio, Andrea Odille & Butticè, Vicenzo & Crisanti, Andrea & Croce, Annalisa & Signore, Simone, 2025. "How Brexit reshaped venture capitals market: An analysis of UK and EU investments," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(8).
    4. Fernández-Huertas Moraga, Jesús, 2025. "The Second Spanish Immigration Boom," IZA Discussion Papers 18185, IZA Network @ LISER.
    5. Constantinos Alexiou & George Saridakis, 2025. "A Review of the Performance Metrics and Entrepreneurial Practices of Economics and Business Departments in UK Universities: A ‘Gresham’s Law’ Threat?," Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Emerging Economies, Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India, vol. 11(2), pages 281-308, July.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • I20 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - General
    • I28 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Government Policy
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration

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