Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been discussing the option of cracking down on the number of foreign students allowed to attend university in the UK, except for those attending ‘top universities,’ The Times has reported. These considerations come as a result of ONS statistics which showed an increase in migration to the UK, with 504,000 more people entering the UK than left. This report also found high levels of total long-term immigration, with a net negative migration pattern for both EU and British nationals.
However, the report went on to point out that these numbers represent a period which has been statistically unique, factoring in the events of the Coronavirus pandemic, new Brexit immigration laws, as well as the UK’s support for Ukrainian nationals. In other words, these numbers do not necessarily represent the bigger picture in terms of immigration, but rather a single year in which some extraordinary global events occurred.
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How would restricting foreign students affect university funding?
The proposed reforms would centre mainly on exclusions to dependents of foreign students, as well as lowering the amount of students accepted into ‘low-quality’ degrees. However, putting restrictions on foreign students could affect the financial well-being of universities.
With tuition fees being capped at £9,250 a year for home students, international students provide much of the economic backbone these institutions rely upon. The financial state of the universities has a ripple effect towards trends in the economy as a whole.
In short, less foreign students means considerably less income for higher education institutions.
‘There needs to be a long-term plan if we’re going to bring down migration in a way that doesn’t harm the economy,’ said Chancellor Jeremy Hunt.
‘We are recognising that we will need migration for the years ahead – that will be very important for the economy.’
The financial state of universities in UK has been under scrutiny lately, with unprecedented numbers of university staff becoming involved in a national strike. The UCU cites pay concerns as well as increased numbers of insecure contracts as the motivation behind the strikes. These factors are paired with the added stressors of inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.
Representatives from the UCEA have called the proposed 13.6% pay rise ‘unrealistic.’ Whether or not action will be taken to place restrictions on foreign students remains to be seen, however, with university funding already in dispute, these reforms hold the potential to have a significant effect on how universities operate moving forward.
See also: ‘Biggest Ever’ UCU Strike Begins