A former universities minister has cautioned that the Conservative party’s immigration policies risk exacerbating UK universities’ dependence on students from China, potentially leading to financial instability.
Chris Skidmore, who stepped down as a Conservative MP earlier this year, highlighted concerns over new restrictions on international student visas and recent threats to revoke the “graduate route” work visas. He emphasized that these measures could undermine the government’s education strategy and efforts to diversify university recruitment beyond China to countries like India and Nigeria.
The Conservative manifesto in 2019 introduced a two-year visa for international students after graduating from British universities, aimed at attracting talent and facilitating post-education employment opportunities. However, recent moves by Home Secretary James Cleverly to review this visa, citing concerns about abuse, have sparked fears of policy shifts that could deter international students.
Skidmore criticized the potential reversal of the graduate route visa as “totally counterproductive,” warning of economic repercussions for the UK. He expressed concern about the government’s apparent shift in policy, which could negatively impact sectors heavily reliant on international students, including numerous constituencies and regional economies.
As tensions between the UK and China escalate, Skidmore’s cautionary remarks coincide with calls for tougher action against Beijing from Conservative MPs. Universities have been advised to prepare for geopolitical events that could disrupt the influx of students from China, such as conflicts over Taiwan.
Skidmore chairs the International Higher Education Commission, an independent group tasked with devising a new international education strategy. The commission underscores the urgent need for universities to diversify their recruitment efforts globally.
Data from the commission reveals a concerning reliance on a handful of countries for student recruitment, with Chinese students predominantly enrolling in prestigious courses at leading universities, including those in the Russell Group. This concentration poses financial risks, as illustrated by data indicating that a significant portion of tuition fee income at Russell Group universities is derived from Chinese students.
Mark Corver, managing director of dataHE, emphasized the vulnerability of universities to fluctuations in international student numbers, particularly given the frozen domestic income and the lucrative fees charged to international students.
In response to the challenges, universities are striving to diversify their student cohorts and explore new markets. However, recent policy changes and government rhetoric have already begun to impact international student numbers, jeopardizing diversification efforts and financial resilience across the sector.
The issue extends beyond the Russell Group, with projections indicating that half of higher education funding will come from international student revenue by 2026. Moreover, the majority of higher education providers would face budget deficits in the event of a decline in international student numbers, highlighting the sector’s vulnerability.
A government spokesperson emphasized the importance of balancing immigration control with attracting top-tier students to UK universities. They cited the recent commissioning of an independent review of the graduate route visa as part of efforts to safeguard the UK’s interests and attract talent essential for the economy’s growth.