24,000 students on campus at University of Huddersfield

Nov 3 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

“In terms of expenditure – including staff, student and procurement (much of the raw material for the new business school being built is locally sourced), I would say the university contributes about £400m to the local economy.”

The 24,000 student total was a target set three years ago by the vice-chancellor Prof Bob Cryan.

There are no limits on the numbers of new part-time, postgraduate and overseas students and the university aims to increase recruitment in those areas.

This year, there are nearly 900 international students at Huddersfield.

Prof Page added: “People often say the recession has caused the increase in student numbers. In reality, it is quite difficult to link the two.

“When you look at the time-frame, many of the students who applied to start at Huddersfield this September did so a year ago, when the recession was only just starting.

“The main reason is the increasing number of eligible students and the growing attraction of university education.”

Prof Page acknowledged that some students who might otherwise have gone straight into work might have applied for university through the clearing system and said the few available places at Huddersfield were quickly snapped up.

Another area in which the economic downturn could have an effect is that the number of part-time students whose fees are paid by employers might show a temporary reduction.