Student cap 'causing brain drain'

Graduates are 'haemorrhaging' from Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland is "haemorrhaging" thousands of talented graduates, the chancellor of the University of Ulster has said.

Sir Richard Nichols said the province was the only UK region with a fixed ceiling on the numbers that could be admitted to the two local universities.

He said 75% of those the 14,000 who study in Great Britain did not return.

"This is a loss of talent and skill that our new economy cannot afford - an unwelcome diaspora," he said.

He said that 90% of UoU graduates remained in Northern Ireland and that more than 40% of those who go to GB do so unwillingly because of the lack of local places.

The brain drain is an 'unwelcome diaspora', says Sir Richard Nichols

Speaking at a meeting of the University Court in Coleraine, Sir Richard said higher education's contribution to social capital was crucial, creating fuller individuals and a better society.

He added that the introduction of top-up fees must not be at the "expense of social inclusion and equality of opportunity".

"It is pertinent to note that each student who drops out costs the taxpayer £10,000 in wasted teaching, facilities and financial support, a salutary thought," he said.