Bis research paper number 128 The wider benefits of international higher education in the uk

4.2.4.2 Implications 
As was the case for other benefit groups, the extent to which return travel to the UK may 
translate into quantifiable economic benefit to the UK is partly dependent on the alumni’s 
current personal circumstances. While the proportion that had returned to the UK for social 
or leisure purposes by the time of interview – around 5-6 years after graduation – was 
modest (roughly 1 in 5), many more expressed a desire to do so when circumstances 
allowed. The i-GO study and information within the ISB both offer evidence that the 
majority of alumni and current students express an expectation to travel back to the UK for 
leisure purposes at some point. 
Given the accelerated career progress expected for these graduates, it is likely that many 
will in due course be able to afford such travel, so this particular benefit is expected to 
sustain over the long term. There is some evidence from graduates of earlier cohorts 
supporting the idea that enhanced career progression leads to a faster rising salary, in turn 
allowing additional disposable income, some of which will be spent in the UK or on UK 
brands (Roberts et al., 2012). 
As personal relationships with those in the UK are regularly now supported by the use of 
social networks, the longevity of these relationships may be great and this is likely to be 
reflected in more return trips to the UK long into the future. These relationships were the 
dominant driver for return to the UK for the alumni interviewed. Relatively few had returned 
for professional purposes, but this is likely to increase as they progress in their careers to 
positions requiring international travel.
The extent of economic benefit to the UK of the purchasing power of a single international 
graduate as a consumer, and their behaviour, is relatively limited, but may potentially grow 
as they become more affluent, assuming they maintain social relationships and loyalty to 
UK brands of product. However, the accumulation of these individual transactional benefits 
across the huge population of international graduates represents very substantial 
economic activity. This is highly dependent on the experience of the individual as a student 
during their time in the UK, in terms of their social interactions and wider exposure to life in 
the UK.