The UK economy owing
to its immigration changes may have lost out on billions of pounds in export
earnings from international students according to a new analysis published by
Universities UK.
According to
the analysis, when the government scrapped the post study work visa, the
country lost more than 8 billion pounds in the period 2013-17.
There was a
slight dip in the number of student enrolments due to the immigration rule
changes between the period of 2012-17 according to the analysis.
The analysis
is based on two scenarios, the continuation of non-EU growth between 2008 –
2012 and a visible growth of non-EU student growth in Australia Post 2017.
According to
the reports, it was revealed that 442375 international students constituted 19%
of the students registered at UK universities, consisting of 6% from EU and 13%
from non-EU countries.
According to
analysis, the income and economic activity of these students resulted in 25.8
billion pounds in output and 206,600 jobs for the UK economy in 2014-15.
In terms of international student enrolments countries such as
US, Australia, France and Germany all grew at a faster rate than the UK, with growth
rates in 2014-15 of 9.4%, 10.7%, 1.8% and 8.7% respectively.
It revealed that in 2016-17, 442,375 international students made up 19% of all students and in this period, the UK’s international enrolments grew just by 0.5%
It revealed that in 2016-17, 442,375 international students made up 19% of all students and in this period, the UK’s international enrolments grew just by 0.5%
The Chief executive of Universities UK Alistair
Jarvis said that he expected the UK
to be doing “better.” He called on Theresa May’s government to “reshape” the
immigration system.
“Since 2011, countries such as Australia, Canada, and the US
have seen high growth in international demand for study in their respective
countries while the total number of enrolled international students in the UK is
less, he said.
“The UK should definitely
be doing much better than this. In order to keep up with competitors, the UK
government needs to promptly develop a reshaped immigration system that
recognises the value of international students as temporary visitors and declare
to the world that they are welcome here.”
Jarvis’ viewpoint is that
this should include improved post-study work opportunities.
“International students provide a positive and fantastic
economic boost in terms of spending and job market in communities across the
UK. They enrich our campuses with their approach and the experience of UK
students is enhanced both academically and culturally.
“The income and
economic activity of these students resulted in £25.8bn”
“Many return home after building strong professional and
personal links here that provide long-term, ‘soft power’ benefits for the UK,”
he added.
UK recently announced a type of visa that would allow international students
to gain work experience in the UK for up to two years after graduation.
The new visa would allow a wider range of employers – in all
parts of the UK – to benefit from a wide
access to multi talented graduates from around the world that include small and
medium employers who do not have Tier 2 sponsorship licences due to the high
costs involved.
A recent poll by ComRes which was based on the views of more than
4,000 British adults, revealed also that in relation to the UK government’s
immigration policy, only around a quarter of British adults say that they view
international students coming to study at UK universities as immigrants.
It revealed also that nearly (72%) of British adults polled
actually think that international students would be able to stay in the UK post-graduation for
one year or more in order to gain work experience.
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