According to a recent study, only about fifty percent (50%) of all universities in the United Kingdom (UK) are prepared for a no-deal exit from the European Union (EU).
The Universities UK survey revealed that more than eighty percent (80%) of higher education institutions in the country are feeling queasy about the outcome of Brexit negotiations. While UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson is pushing for an exit, even without an official agreement with the EU, universities around the country are already feeling the repercussions of this political decision.
UK universities and Brexit
According to the survey, about half of all UK universities feel prepared for a hard exit from the EU. Unfortunately, the other half admit that they are not really clear on how their courses are going to develop once Brexit becomes a fact.
Most survey respondents who stated that they do not feel ready for a no-deal Brexit have mentioned several key concerns. The primary concern for more science-based UK universities is that once Brexit is finalized, the import deals with European countries will change.
According to representatives from such universities, the most worrying part of a no-deal Brexit will be the sudden drop in chemicals and substances for laboratory research.
Other universities predict that there will be a significant rise in prices for everyday materials like toilet paper, or food, so they have decided to start stocking up on such items before a final decision on Brexit is officially reached.
Students and Brexit
Material and financial aspects of the separation from the EU are just a part of the consequences of a no-deal Brexit.
Surveys and research have revealed that as a direct consequence of Brexit, many students have started losing interest in studying foreign languages.
Not only that, but many international students might lose the opportunity to participate in exchange programs with the United Kingdom, as the political relations between the EU and the UK will remain unclear in for a while after an official exit.
