UNIVERSITIES are becoming increasingly dependent on academics from abroad, a survey has revealed.
The result of the investigation by the Times Higher Education Supplement has prompted fears that the number of British students considering academic careers is falling.
Sixteen universities were questioned, including Newcastle University.
The results showed, on average, 35 per cent of academic appointments made over the past two years had been applicants from abroad. In 2003 to 2004 it was 29 per cent.
Newcastle University recruited 673 academic staff from July 2003 to June this year - 237, or 35 per cent, were not British.
Of the new staff, 485 were new research starters and 178, or 37 per cent, were not British.
Paul Mackney, general secretary of lecturers' union Natfhe, said: "The recent increase in this flow from abroad may be due to the worsening conditions and career prospects of UK academics compared with other professionals, which has made an academic career less attractive."
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