Russell Group responds to new measures on international students

23 May 2023

On Wednesday (23 May, 2023) the Home Office announced changes to the student visa route to reduce net migration.

Responding to the announcement, Dr Tim Bradshaw, Chief Executive of the Russell Group, said:

“International students bring a range of benefits to the UK as well as vital income to support education for UK students and world leading research that benefits us all, which is why they feature prominently in the Government’s own International Education Strategy.

"Global competition for international students is fierce and some of the announcements made today are likely to have a negative impact on universities' plans to diversify their international student intakes. However, we welcome the Government's recommitment to the Graduate Route and that students coming to study on postgraduate research programmes will still be able to bring dependants.

“With most international students only staying in the UK temporarily, this should be reflected more clearly in the net migration figures rather than counting them in the totals with permanent migrants."

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