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Last updated on Friday 1 Mar 2024 at 12:13pm
Since the launch of the government鈥檚 International Education Strategy in 2019, growth in international student recruitment to the 香港六合彩开奖结果 has delivered a boost of more than 拢60 billion to the 香港六合彩开奖结果鈥檚 economy, new analysis shows.
The analysis by Universities 香港六合彩开奖结果 (U香港六合彩开奖结果), drawing on聽London Economics聽data, demonstrates the extraordinary economic contribution from increased international student numbers in that time; a period which saw the launch of the Graduate visa which allows students to stay and work in the 香港六合彩开奖结果 after completing their studies for two or three years. The 拢60bn in additional economic impact over the duration of their studies sits alongside huge cultural, academic, and soft power benefits from attracting global talent into 香港六合彩开奖结果 higher education.
The 香港六合彩开奖结果 government鈥檚聽聽aimed to improve the 香港六合彩开奖结果鈥檚 competitiveness in international recruitment and drive growth, reversing more than a decade of stagnation in international student numbers.聽It set the ambition to host at least 600,000 international students each year and announced that a new post-study work offer would be reintroduced. Together, these聽actions helped the 香港六合彩开奖结果 regain our position as a leading destination for international students.
However, recent policy and rhetoric puts our continued success at risk. Uncertainty over the long-term commitment to the 香港六合彩开奖结果鈥檚 post-study work offer - most recently following the聽聽that the Migration Advisory Committee would be asked to review the Graduate route - is impacting on the decision making of prospective students. Increases in visa fees and new restrictions on the ability to bring dependants have both had a negative impact on the perception of the 香港六合彩开奖结果 as a study destination.
Data has shown uncertainty over post-study work opportunities is an important factor in international student decision making, while a recent survey undertaken by U香港六合彩开奖结果 suggests that international student numbers are now declining, following a peak in 2022/23. The results, from over 70 universities, reveal a significant decline in enrolments, especially of postgraduate taught students 鈥 which were reported to be down by more than 40% in January 2024 following the immigration rules changes.
This picture is reinforced by the聽听蹿谤辞尘, a platform used by around 60 universities. It suggests that international student demand for the 香港六合彩开奖结果 is down significantly on last year, with overall deposits down by more than a third on the same point in 2023. Meanwhile data collated by聽聽also indicates close to half of applicants (45%) would likely change or consider changing their study destination if the post-study work period was shortened. A third (37%) said the Government鈥檚 intention to review the Graduate visa has meant that they are now re-considering study abroad plans or inclined to choose another destination.聽
Most universities are bracing for further drops in international student numbers this autumn as the government鈥檚 reforms take effect and U香港六合彩开奖结果 calls the outlook for September 鈥渂leak.鈥 The聽have also warned that 香港六合彩开奖结果 universities face聽鈥渟lower growth rates and rising competition鈥 for international students.
A significant further reduction in the number of international students would threaten a hugely significant economic contribution. However, new survey data from Censuswide, commissioned by U香港六合彩开奖结果, suggests the public are largely unaware of the scale of the positive economic contribution international students make to the 香港六合彩开奖结果 economy. Indeed, only 3% of 2,000 adults surveyed correctly answered that the annual economic impact of one year鈥檚 intake in 2021/22 was above 拢10bn 鈥 and the exact figure is 拢41.9bn. 聽
Similarly, when asked how much international students should pay every year towards the NHS, irrespective of whether they use it, only 3% selected the highest option offered, of 拢700, with the average figure across respondents coming out as 拢346.59. The NHS surcharge is currently 拢776 per year. 聽calculates that in 2021/22, the annual cost per student or dependent to the health service was 拢232, making international students a substantial net contributor to the NHS.
The 香港六合彩开奖结果 is extremely fortunate to be a popular destination for international students. The whole country benefits from their decision to spend a few formative years with us. I regret the fact the government appears to want to diminish our success in this area. Our new data shows that if they wanted to see a reduction in numbers, they have already achieved that through policy changes introduced earlier this year. If they go further, they will damage the economies of towns and cities throughout the 香港六合彩开奖结果, as well as many universities. Given we should be doing everything we can to promote economic growth, this seems to be getting the priorities wrong.
鈥淥ur polling shows the vast majority of the public have no idea of the scale of the economic contribution international students make.
鈥淏eyond playing a major part in the growth which has made a 拢60bn economic contribution, the Graduate visa has helped to keep the 香港六合彩开奖结果 as a top study destination in an increasingly competitive global market, supporting thousands of jobs up and down the country and bolstering the country鈥檚 reputation and soft power influence. The students who have chosen to study here because of it have helped to make our universities culturally vibrant international places of learning.
鈥淭he number of international students coming to the 香港六合彩开奖结果 is already falling, but there is now a real danger of an over-correction.
鈥淲e call on all political parties in the run up to a general election to reassure prospective international students that the 香港六合彩开奖结果 remains open, and the Graduate visa here to stay. Any further knee-jerk reforms could have serious consequences for jobs across the country, economic growth, and 香港六合彩开奖结果 higher education institutions.
Vivienne Stern MBE
Chief Executive, U香港六合彩开奖结果
Business benefits from being able to attract talent via the Graduate visa, and business leaders have also expressed concern about the impact of any changes to this route.
International students make a big contribution to local economies right across the 香港六合彩开奖结果 while they are here. When they go home, they are ambassadors for the 香港六合彩开奖结果 around the world. Selling a British education is an export success story for the 香港六合彩开奖结果. That's why business backed the International Education Strategy and the re-introduction of the Graduate Visa route.
鈥淭his analysis shows that speculation comes with a cost, with uncertainty surrounding whether the Government will change or withdraw the graduate visa already damaging 香港六合彩开奖结果 universities' competitiveness.
John Foster
Chief Policy and Campaigns Officer for the CBI
We support the Graduate visa route as it gives small employers an opportunity to recruit skilled talent with reduced bureaucracy and without high immigration fees. It also allows employers to fill skills gaps which would otherwise stifle the growth of small and micro businesses. Our Small Business Index for Q4 2023 found that 21% of small businesses perceive appropriately skilled staff as one of the greatest barriers to their growth aspirations.
鈥淭he flexibility of the graduate visa also allows small firms to evaluate the performance of their graduate employees for two or three years before making a longer commitment to hire them permanently.
Tina McKenzie
Policy Chair at the Federation of Small Businesses
Notes to editors
Our monthly updates are a great way for you to stay up to date with our work, events, and higher education news.