Majority of British students want a second Brexit referendum

More than a quarter of undergraduate students surveyed said they would be less likely to apply for university courses in other EU countries as a result of Brexit

Increased university fees, the rising cost of living and changes to student visas have all been highlighted as areas for concern in light of the Brexit vote (AFP/Getty)

The majority of British students want a second Brexit referendum, new research has shown, as concerns grow over how students and universities might be affected once Britain leaves the EU.

Some 85 per cent of students who voted in the referendum this summer opted to Remain, meaning almost one million undergraduates were left disappointed by the result.

A survey of 1,000 undergraduate students highlighted increased university fees, the rising cost of living and changes to student visas as main areas for concern in light of the Brexit vote.

When asked how they would feel about applying to universities in other European countries post-referendum, 28 per cent of participants said they would be less likely to apply – double the number of those who said they would be more likely to consider studying abroad (14 per cent).

Data collected by VOOVit suggested this was partly due to how students anticipated they would be regarded – more than 40 per cent admitted to feeling worried about other European students’ perceptions of them post-referendum.

The research comes amid warnings from UK business school heads, some of whom have reported a 20 per cent increase in the number of EU students failing to turn up for classes this term as a result of Brexit.

Similar fears have been expressed by leading academics in recent weeks, with a number of vice-chancellors voicing concerns for the UK’s reputation as a global hub for high quality education and research.

Responding to the student survey, Sorana Vieru, NUS vice president for higher education, said: “It’s no surprise most young people are still hugely upset by the result of the EU referendum, and NUS has made it clear we think being part of the EU is hugely beneficial to the UK’s education sector.

“Going forward, we need to make sure students and institutions have a say in all decisions that affect them.”

The union highlighted that the majority of young people remain unrepresented in terms of the referendum outcome, despite being the generation most likely to be affected by the vote.

Ms Vieru added: “NUS also believes 16 and 17-year-olds should have had the right to vote in the EU referendum, as Brexit will have the biggest impact on their futures, taking away the right to study and work in the EU. Our research showed 76 per cent would have voted if they could.”