The Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) has today published data which outlines the significant contribution that international students make to both our local economy and the wider country – with data outlining the specific financial impact for each constituency within Northamptonshire.
In response, the University of Northampton’s Vice Chancellor, Anne-Marie Kilday has today penned the following letter to the seven Members of Parliament in Northamptonshire and the Leaders of West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council:
Dear Member of Parliament/Council Leader,
Local and National Impact of International Students
As representatives of Northamptonshire’s communities, businesses and public services, I am writing to share new evidence about the significant contribution that international students make to both our local economy and the wider United Kingdom and to highlight the opportunities that a thriving international higher education sector presents for growth, skills and regional prosperity.
International students are not only learners – they are consumers, tenants, visitors, volunteers, innovators and future global ambassadors for the United Kingdom. Analysis published today estimates that the 2024/25 cohort of international students will generate a net economic benefit of £40.4 billion to the UK over the course of their studies.
Importantly, these benefits are not confined to major cities. The report concludes that international students generate an average net economic contribution of £62 million per parliamentary constituency, equivalent to approximately £580 per resident.
For Northamptonshire, the impact is substantial. According to constituency-level analysis, international students living across Northamptonshire constituencies contribute an estimated £149 million net economic benefit to the UK economy and support approximately 1,135 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. These benefits are felt across our towns and communities, supporting employment, local shops and other businesses while helping to ensure that Northamptonshire remains connected to global networks of talent, enterprise and innovation. Their spending supports local businesses, hospitality venues, transport operators, cultural attractions and community services, while the tuition fees they pay help sustain educational provision, research activity and employment.
At the University of Northampton, international students enrich our academic community and contribute directly to solving real-world challenges. For example, 2026 Master’s graduate Edna Ann Quarshie from Ghana used her Business Analytics expertise to help Northampton Town Football Club identify opportunities to increase attendance and strengthen commercial performance. Similarly, Dr Nothando Mtungwa, a Zimbabwean Chevening Scholar and 2019 graduate of our MA Special Educational Needs and Inclusion programme, has supported children with disabilities and their families through innovative communication interventions and the use of accessible technologies in developing countries. Edna, Nothando and many others become lifelong advocates for Northamptonshire and the UK, strengthening international relationships, trade connections and our global reputation.
The report also highlights the importance of maintaining the UK’s attractiveness as a destination for talented students from around the world and notes that changes to immigration policy, alongside increased international competition, have coincided with a reduction in international student recruitment. The study suggests there is further potential for international education to support economic growth, estimating that maintaining recruitment at 2022/23 levels could have generated an additional £2.9 billion in economic activity and supported approximately 23,300 more FTE jobs.
At a time when economic growth and strong public finances are national priorities, it is important that policy decisions affecting international students are informed by evidence demonstrating that they are net contributors to the UK economy, supporting employment, local businesses and world-class universities across the country.
I therefore encourage all Members of Parliament and Council Leaders to continue engaging with universities, businesses and sector stakeholders to ensure that future immigration and higher education policies recognise and support the economic and social contribution made by international students.
Northamptonshire benefits from being part of a globally connected higher education sector. By continuing to welcome talented students from around the world, we can strengthen economic growth, develop future skills, support local employers and reinforce the UK’s reputation as a leading destination for education, research and innovation. I hope that we can work together to ensure these opportunities continue to benefit our County and our country in the years ahead.
Thank you for your support for the University of Northampton.
Kind Regards,
Professor Anne-Marie Kilday
Vice Chancellor