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Last updated on Tuesday 20 Dec 2022 at 10:28pm
Commenting on speculation that the UK Government may look to cut international student numbers, Vivienne Stern MBE, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said:
Cutting international student numbers would run directly counter to the government’s strategy to rebuild the economy – given the huge financial contribution they make to every part of the country.
“International students make a net positive contribution of at least £26 billion per year to the UK economy and are the source of almost 70% of our education export earnings. They sustain jobs in towns and cities up and down the country. They also bring enormous benefits to university campuses. The financial contribution they make has been essential, given the long term decline in funding for teaching UK undergraduate students, and balancing the books on research.
“Limiting international students would be an act of economic self-harm that would damage many parts of the country the government aims to make more prosperous.
“We should be proud that UK universities are held in such high esteem around the world that we are one of the most popular places to study. Instead of doing down a great strength of the UK, government should support it. We need a long term, stable policy approach in international visas, which is tough on abuse but supports long term, managed growth.
Vivienne Stern MBE
Chief Executive of Universities UK
Our monthly updates are a great way for you to stay up to date with our work, events, and higher education news.