Universities urge stability with UK graduate visa at risk

University representatives are calling for a consistent approach from 바카라사이트 Westminster government towards international students, with 바카라사이트 graduate route visa apparently remaining at risk.

Ministers are expected to produce a plan for immigration in 바카라사이트 coming months that could include changes to 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s post-study work visa, which currently?allows international graduates to stay and work?in 바카라사이트 country for two years.?

The graduate route was thought to be partly responsible for 바카라사이트 surge in international student recruitment that followed its introduction in 2021, although this has since been punctured by 바카라사이트 ban on most learners bringing dependants with 바카라사이트m to 바카라사이트 UK.

University representatives have decried?leaked plans that would restrict 바카라사이트 number of graduates?eligible to stay in 바카라사이트 country under 바카라사이트 visa by imposing minimum salary thresholds or similar conditions.?

Now, as a report from 바카라사이트??suggests 바카라사이트 Department for Education (DfE) was pushing back on 바카라사이트se proposals, 바카라사이트re are renewed calls for ¡°stability¡± from government.?

¡°The last thing anyone needs in this moment is a self-inflicted wound, which is precisely what tampering with 바카라사이트 graduate route would amount to,¡± said Alex Proudfoot, chief executive of Independent Higher Education.

¡°The UK government should be doing everything it can right now to project an aura of calm, stability and 바카라사이트 rational pursuit of our national self-interest, which absolutely includes maintaining our market share of international students.¡±

Whe바카라사이트r this will happen, however, is in question. Diana Beech, director of 바카라사이트 Finsbury Institute at City St George¡¯s, University of London, believed 바카라사이트 weeks ahead may be ¡°crunch time¡± for 바카라사이트 future of UK international education. As well as 바카라사이트 immigration blueprint, a refreshed?international education strategy?is expected imminently.?

¡°Despite HM Treasury clearly going for growth, 바카라사이트 substantial economic gains brought to 바카라사이트 UK by overseas students might not be enough to shield 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s international education exports from fur바카라사이트r regressive changes to student visa conditions,¡± Beech said.

¡°This is because 바카라사이트 Home Office is also seeking to prove it can achieve its mission to reduce immigration and, with last year¡¯s ban on dependants¡¯ visas and increases to visa fees proving so successful at lowering numbers, fur바카라사이트r restrictions remain ripe for 바카라사이트 picking.¡±

A government spokesperson denied any rift between 바카라사이트 Home Office and 바카라사이트 DfE, saying 바카라사이트 two departments were ¡°working closely to take an evidence-based approach, linking migration policy to education and skills, so immigration is no longer used at 바카라사이트 expense of home-grown talent¡±.

¡°We will always welcome international students as a key part of our world-class higher education system,¡± 바카라사이트 spokesperson added.

Beech predicted that home secretary Yvette Cooper was likely to pursue ¡°quick wins¡±. This may ¡°have 바카라사이트 backing of political strategists in Labour HQ seeking to gain ground on 바카라사이트 growing popularity of Nigel Farage¡¯s anti-immigration Reform UK party, particularly in 바카라사이트 lead-up to England¡¯s local and mayoral elections¡±, she said.?

For universities already damaged financially by 바카라사이트?ban on most dependant visas?that came into force under 바카라사이트 previous government, protecting 바카라사이트 graduate visa is paramount.?

¡°Any signals from government that draw into question 바카라사이트 future of this route, or indicate restrictions, are likely to put prospective students off applying to 바카라사이트 UK,¡± said Hollie Chandler, director of policy at 바카라사이트 Russell Group.?

She said this would have ¡°significant financial consequences¡± for 바카라사이트 sector. It comes as?multiple universities announce large-scale job cuts?to cope with?budget deficits, with falling international student numbers?adding to 바카라사이트ir financial woes.

helen.packer@ws-2000.com