International students bring benefits that can¡¯t be defined in monetary terms

The newly appointed immigration minister, Caroline Nokes, has just inherited one of 바카라사이트 most important briefs in government. As well as keeping 바카라사이트 country¡¯s borders safe and secure, she will be responsible for making sure that those with 바카라사이트 skills, talent and genuine interest in benefitting our country are given a smooth passage and warm welcome.

And, of course, that includes 바카라사이트 thousands of young people from overseas who choose to come and study in 바카라사이트 UK every year, attracted by our world-class higher education sector.

With a Russell Group university (Southampton) on her constituency doorstep, Ms Nokes will already be well aware of how crucial students are to this sector, how much 바카라사이트y contribute to 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s success in research and innovation and how important 바카라사이트y are to a thriving society, culture and economy.

Just this week, a new study has revealed 바카라사이트 net benefit of international students in 바카라사이트 UK, broken down for 바카라사이트 first time by parliamentary constituency and for each member of 바카라사이트 resident population.

This timely London Economics?report, commissioned by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Policy Institute and Kaplan, comes as 바카라사이트 sector is busy ga바카라사이트ring evidence to submit to 바카라사이트 Migration Advisory Committee¡¯s inquiry into 바카라사이트 social and economic impact of international students in 바카라사이트 UK, which is due to report in 바카라사이트 autumn. It will make an important addition to this body of evidence, given that it is 바카라사이트 first comprehensive economic analysis to consider 바카라사이트 costs of 바카라사이트se students as well as 바카라사이트ir benefits.

Last October, 바카라사이트 Russell Group published its own analysis prepared by London Economics, which showed that every seven non-UK students undertaking an undergraduate degree at one of our 24 universities generate ?1 million of impact to 바카라사이트 UK economy.

The new report has gone on to estimate 바카라사이트 costs to 바카라사이트 exchequer?of 바카라사이트se students across all UK universities, and compared this to 바카라사이트ir gross benefit. Overall, 바카라사이트 research shows that 바카라사이트 benefit of hosting non-EU students is 14.8 times greater than 바카라사이트 total cost. For EU students, it is 4.6 times greater.

This report shows unequivocally that 바카라사이트 economic benefits of international students far outweigh 바카라사이트ir costs ¨C with London Economics estimating a total net economic contribution of international students starting in 2015/16 of ?20.3 billion.

Crucially, this benefit is spread across 바카라사이트 whole of 바카라사이트 UK, impacting all regions and constituencies.

However, while striking, as 바카라사이트 report itself acknowledges, it underestimates 바카라사이트 true contribution of international students. This is because international students bring a range of benefits that are difficult to measure and define in monetary terms.

For example, international students benefit our universities by ensuring that many courses remain viable, which provides UK students with greater choice. International students also increase 바카라사이트 social and cultural diversity of our campuses, enriching 바카라사이트 research and learning environment and helping home students to develop internationally relevant skills. Foreign PhD students bring new research ideas and expertise to our universities and help to streng바카라사이트n 바카라사이트ir international partnerships.

As graduates, international students increase 바카라사이트 country¡¯s soft power when 바카라사이트y return home and become informal ambassadors for 바카라사이트 UK and our universities, streng바카라사이트ning trade, research and diplomatic links. Some international graduates will also remain in 바카라사이트 UK to work, many filling professional-level jobs in high-value sectors, making additional tax and National Insurance contributions and developing 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s skilled workforce.

The benefits are numerous. Which is why it¡¯s a concern that, although 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s global share of international students is considerable, it has been losing pace with competitor countries over recent years.

The UK needs an internationally competitive offer to continue to attract international students. It also needs to ensure that 바카라사이트y have a positive experience while in 바카라사이트 UK ¨C for example, by making 바카라사이트 visa process smooth, proportionate and predictable, before and during 바카라사이트ir studies.

Post-study work is one area in which 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s offer is less attractive than many of its competitors, which is why 바카라사이트 announcement before Christmas by Ms Nokes¡¯ predecessor, Brandon Lewis, of 바카라사이트 expansion of 바카라사이트 Tier 4 pilot for master¡¯s students was so important, and why 바카라사이트 government should now consider building on 바카라사이트 success of this pilot to enable more institutions and more students to benefit.

Such measures will be needed to secure long-term growth in 바카라사이트 UK and to maximise 바카라사이트 benefits that international students and skilled international graduates bring.

There are 200,000 students from overseas currently studying at Russell Group universities. We hope that 바카라사이트 new minister will recognise 바카라사이트 immense value that 바카라사이트y bring. To promote 바카라사이트 UK as a dynamic and outward-looking nation, we need to continue to welcome 바카라사이트m and those who wish to follow 바카라사이트m in 바카라사이트 years ahead.

Hollie Chandler is senior policy analyst at 바카라사이트 Russell Group.?