Dr. Tim Bradshaw, representing the Russell Group of leading research institutions, has cautioned against potential financial repercussions on the university sector if the UK government restricts student immigration. The Russell Group comprises 24 top universities, including Oxford and Cambridge. This warning comes amid discussions within the government to terminate the UK’s graduate work visa program due to concerns over its misuse as a means of unauthorized entry.
In a letter addressed to Professor Brian Bell, chair of the Migration Advisory Committee, which advises the government on migration matters, Bradshaw emphasized that further limitations on student immigration could destabilize the sector significantly. He outlined potential consequences such as reduced spending in local communities, diminished opportunities for domestic students, and a decline in UK research output.
The decision regarding the fate of the “graduate visa route,” which presently enables foreign students to reside and work in the UK for up to two years post-graduation, is anticipated as early as next week. This announcement follows the impending release of a report by the Migration Advisory Committee assessing the economic effectiveness of the visa scheme, scheduled for publication on Tuesday.
In his letter dated April 9, Bradshaw highlighted the sector’s struggles in coping with a substantial decrease in overseas student applications this year. He underscored the potential adverse impact of any further reduction in visa provisions.
Bradshaw’s intervention aligns with ongoing efforts by the higher education sector to persuade the government against imposing additional constraints on educational visa routes. These measures, it is argued, have already negatively affected the university sector, which relies on international fees for over a fifth of its total income.
The government’s response to record-high legal net migration into the UK last year included measures such as restricting the right of most graduate students to bring family dependents and raising the threshold for skilled visa workers. These changes have already resulted in repercussions, including the cancellation of foreign graduate job offers by companies like KPMG.
Pressure on the prime minister to address immigration concerns from within his party has intensified, particularly as the Conservative party trails behind Labour in opinion polls ahead of a forthcoming general election.
Recent data from a survey conducted by Universities UK, the main sector lobby group, revealed a 44 percent decline in international enrollments in January 2024 compared to a 0.4 percent drop in September 2023. Bradshaw referenced this survey as evidence of the negative impact of government rhetoric, visa restrictions, and increased fees on the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination.
The government’s International Education Strategy aimed at attracting 600,000 international students annually, a target that has been met, contributing to a sector valued at £37 billion annually to the UK economy.
Business leaders have also voiced support for retaining the graduate visa route, emphasizing its importance in hiring and retaining talent. A letter to Chancellor Sunak, seen by the Financial Times, highlighted that half of the respondents in a cross-sector survey had hired staff on graduate visas, with a similar proportion intending to do so in the next 12 months.
Amidst a “robust debate” within the cabinet, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan has advocated for retaining the graduate route, with final decisions resting with the prime minister.