Applications to study at De Montfort University (DMU) from the European Union (EU) have increased by almost a third this year, bucking a national decline in numbers.
Last week, the House of Commons heard that across UK universities, applications from EU students had fallen by 7.43%, following the UK’s vote for Brexit.
But after campaigning across Europe this summer to show how welcoming it is to students from across the world, DMU has seen a rise of 29% in numbers of EU students applying to study.
Polish students in particular have responded to DMU, with more than three times as many applications from the country as the year before.
Professor Dominic Shellard, Vice-Chancellor of DMU, said the rise showed the importance of taking positive action in response to policy.
He said: “The moment the referendum result became clear we knew we needed to speak out, to reassure our students and staff that no matter what happened, we would remain welcoming to all.
“Since then we have carried this message overseas, to cities across the EU, meeting young people and showing them the power and potential of an international education.
“It is satisfying and motivating to see that these efforts have made a difference.”
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In the immediate wake of the decision to leave the EU, DMU launched its #LoveInternational campaign.
The initiative both celebrates and reassures international staff and students living and working at universities across the country, and takes this message out overseas.
During the summer of 2016, DMU held a series of events in European capitals, celebrating its EU students and staff, as well as its global outlook. The first of these events, helping to reassure potential students and staff that it is business as usual for the university, took place in Nicosia, Cyprus.
Events then followed in Warsaw, Poland, the Swedish capital Stockholm, Vilnius, Lithuania and in the German capital Berlin. DMU teamed up with the British Government’s GREAT Britain campaign to deliver these events.
The university also offers all its students the opportunity to enjoy #DMUglobal, an award-winning programme offering international trips to enhance their studies.
Earlier this month DMU undertook the biggest #DMUglobal trip yet, taking 1,087 students and staff to New York City. The visit involved students on many different courses, offering each a tailored experience which illuminated the topics and skills they had covered in the classroom.
Fashion students went behind the scenes at the world's premier lingerie designers, Victoria's Secret, while Media Production students visited NBC.
Posted on Monday 30 January 2017