Northern Ireland’s ‘brain drain’ is well-known. Young people leave to go to university elsewhere, often never returning.

But what about a ‘brain gain?’ Students from the outside of Northern Ireland actually moving here for university? Does this happen? After all, who would want to come to Northern Ireland? A lack of devolved assembly till recently. The Troubles. Even Brexit.

Despite these factors, there has been a 74.37% increase in students from Great Britain choosing to study in Northern Ireland since 2012/13.

There are now 3,470 GB students studying at the likes of Queen’s and Ulster University, paying £9,250 in tuition fees each year. This compares to Northern Irish students who pay £4,275 to study at home.

This inevitably makes GB students financially valuable to universities, earning over double in tuition fees despite these students taking the exact same courses at their Northern Irish counterparts.

This is because fees for Northern Irish students are set by the Department of Economy. However, under the Maximum Student Number (MaSN) cap policy, the department will only fund a set number of places for Northern Irish students.

With this, local universities regularly have course vacancies, making it financially imperative to actively recruit students from outside of Northern Ireland to fill these spaces.

Despite the political sensitivities regarding Northern Ireland, our universities have a lot to offer. Students in Belfast have one of the cheapest costs of living in the UK. Queen’s University is a prestigious Russell Group university; Ulster University was shortlisted for the 2019 University of the Year award. Both universities offer financial incentives for GB students, including reduced fees and money for flights.

Having spoken with students the universities’ respective careers services, these GB students perform extremely well in the job market. These are adventurous and outgoing students who have taken the leap in moving to Northern Ireland.

However, the story of the ‘brain gain’ is not entirely positive. These highly aspirational GB students do not necessarily stay in Northern Ireland after graduation. The London-centric nature of the UK economy means Northern Ireland suffers like other UK regions with the highest achieving students leaving for big jobs in the big city.

Once again, the ‘brain drain’ occurs. Whilst there is investment in Northern Ireland, on various fronts it cannot compare, or compete with London and other cities such as Manchester and Birmingham. Too often, these GB students retreat home, seeking out better, more high-profile opportunities. Maybe living back at home to avoid paying high rents.

This must change. Whilst GB students remain an attractive commodity under the current university funding model, work must be done to keep the best and brightest on this island.

These socially mobile graduates are the future of Northern Ireland. They are the ones who will be future business leaders, scientists, even politicians. But we are watching them walk away.

The investment promised in the recent New Decade, New Approach deal at Stormont is certainly promising; so too, the actual presence of a devolved government. With this, comes a restored Department of the Economy, headed up by DUP MLA, Diane Dodds.

More higher-level jobs are needed. Similarly, higher salaries are needed. Northern Ireland must become competitive in the market of graduate employment.

Northern Ireland must become more attractive for young people on the whole. This will also help reduce Northern Ireland’s initial ‘brain drain’ of local students staying here. One way to achieve this is to cut the MaSN cap, something already called for by both main universities.

Higher education policy is clearly on the DUP agenda. Last week their leader, Arlene Foster said in a BBC interview that the Executive needs to look at the possibility of raising tuition fees, having a ‘positive debate’ on the issue.

Any policy change should not create a more insular Northern Ireland, focusing solely upon the more well-known brain drain of local students. Instead, the Department of Economy should also encourage local universities to build on their work in recruiting GB students.

A higher pool of GB students will naturally translate to a larger graduate pool which can be encouraged to stay in Northern Ireland and build a life here.

In fact, as a unionist politician, this is in Diane Dodds’ political interest. These changes would not only boost the economy, but boost the union the DUP holds dear, showing Northern Ireland as an attractive part of the UK, and not a burdensome annex.

Investment in Northern Ireland’s future starts with investing in the future citizens of Northern Ireland.

High skilled and socially mobile graduates are key to this future. Northern Ireland is throwing away its potential. It has so much to gain.