Russell Group letter to the Migration Advisory Committee

13 May 2024

As the Migration Advisory Committee prepares to report on its review of the Graduate visa route, the Russell Group has highlighted the benefits international students bring to the UK, and the damage that would be done by restricting or scrapping the visa.

In a letter to Professor Brian Bell, Chair of the committee, in April, CEO of the Russell Group Dr Tim Bradshaw wrote that "international students are a UK success story, bringing cultural, social and economic benefits", with a net benefit to the UK economy of £37.6bn according to recent modelling by London Economics.

Data suggests that international student numbers are plateauing and even decreasing this year. The MAC itself estimated a fall of 120,00 in annual migration following the ban on postgraduate taught students bringing dependants, and early data suggests this policy change is already making an impact.

A report in the Financial Times (11 May 2024) covered these warnings about the impact on the sector. Commenting on the effect that further restrictions would have on the UK's position in the global education market, Dr Tim Bradshaw said:

"Evidence indicates negative government rhetoric, new visa restrictions and increased visa fees are already having an impact on the attractiveness of the UK as a study destination... Any further changes to restrict student immigration could result in a significant destabilisation of the sector, affecting research-intensive universities such as ours as well as many other universities that are often key institutions locally and regionally. The negative impact would result in less spending in local communities, fewer opportunities for domestic students and less UK research".

Read the full letter to the Migration Advisory Committee below, and learn more about the benefits of the Graduate visa route in the Russell Group briefing. 

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