V-cs warn ministers off U-turn on international student enrolment

Vice-chancellors are warning the UK government that another U-turn – this time on international student recruitment – would be a “retrograde step”.

Universities UK said any change in policy on growing international student recruitment could result in billions of pounds in lost revenue, wreck the government’s growth plan and damage local economies.

Earlier this year, the government celebrated reaching its own target of recruiting 600,000 international students ahead of schedule – but recent comments from the home secretary have suggested a shift back towards greater controls on immigration.

Suella Braverman recently said family members were “piggybacking” on student visas, and were “not contributing to growing our economy”.

UUK has now called for the home secretary to retract these remarks, and to reaffirm the centrality of international students and their dependents to the government’s plans for the economic future of the UK.

“For a government focused on growth, to try to reduce the appeal to international students would be bizarre, especially when you consider that they contribute nearly £26 billion to the UK economy – and that this is spread throughout all parts of the UK,” said Vivienne Stern, UUK’s chief executive.

“It is even more bizarre when recent growth in international student numbers has been a direct result of pro-growth government policies and visa changes. We strongly urge the government not to take such a retrograde step.”

Research from the Higher Education Policy Institute, in conjunction with UUK, claims that international students make a net positive contribution of about £26 billion to the UK economy.

UUK said the financial contribution of international students would be central to the government’s growth strategy, which aims to expand education exports to £35 billion by 2030.

Academics from abroad also bring immeasurable social and cultural benefit to communities across the UK, it added.

“The fact that so many international students chose to study in the UK is a real success story, and the UK benefits in many ways from hosting them,” said Ms Stern.

“International students contribute to the UK’s global connections in trade, politics and in research, and they make an enormous economic contribution too.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “Our points-based immigration system ensures we have the skills and talent we need to support and grow our economy, while also encouraging businesses to invest in British people.”

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com