University News Last updated 11 April 2016
The head of Birmingham City University has backed the impact of students from the European Union after new figures revealed they were worth more than £200 million to the West Midlands economy.
Professor Cliff Allan, Vice-Chancellor at the University, said it was vital to maintain close links with the continent, after government stats showed EU students generated £219 million for the region’s economy and supported more than 2,000 jobs.
The numbers were released as part of a study highlighting the contribution EU students made to growth in the country.
Professor Allan said: "People coming from Europe to study in the West Midlands have a really important role to play in supporting our regional economy and securing the future prosperity of this region.
"Each penny they spend here adds to the growth of the region and helps us to go on supporting existing jobs and creating new ones.
"It is also important to note the strong contribution they make to the rich, vibrant and diverse community which this part of the world is so famous for.
The research crunched numbers from the 2011-12 academic year and found that more than £3.7 billion was generated for the country as a whole.
Figures were calculated by analysing the money brought into the country and its local areas by the spending the EU native students.