Viewpoint: Trade follows the diploma

Although the six year decline in overseas student numbers has been halted and despite encouraging signs for the future, particularly from the universities following promotional efforts by the British Council and the higher education sector, Britain continues to lose its share of the international student market. This is now estimated to be just over 5½ per cent compared with 10½ per cent in 1978/79, with increasing numbers going to France, Germany, Japan and Australia.