Responding to reports in the press previewing Immigration Minister Damien Green's speech tonight, Nicola Dandridge Chief Executive of Universities UK said: "We are glad to see that a clear distinction is being made between those international students here to study at universities, and those coming to independent schools, further education colleges, English language colleges or in the private sector. This is essential when assessing how many students are coming in to study in different parts of the education sector and the value of the different type of students coming into the UK.

“International students provide an important financial contribution to our universities but their academic contribution is also crucial. They account for over 40% of our postgraduate students and are a significant proportion of students in subject areas such as engineering, sciences and mathematics. This sustains our teaching and research base in these strategic subjects.

"Universities support the need for a robust immigration system but any proposals to change the student visa system must be discussed with universities to ensure they are feasible and proportionate. Any changes to the system that may hinder the mobility of international students to universities will damage the success of UK universities at a time when our international activities are increasingly important.”

Note

Universities UK's latest study (November 2009) on 'The impact of universities on the UK economy' found that gross export earnings for the higher education sector were estimated to be over £5.3 billion. The personal off-campus expenditure of international students and visitors amounted to £2.3 billion.