New report examines negative impact that closure of the former post-study work visa has had on British businesses and universities
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration has today published its report on post-study work opportunities in the UK for international students.
You can read the 48-page report here.
As reported on the Times Higher Education website, the report results from the Group's inquiry into the impact of the Government's decision to close the Tier 1 Post-Study Work (PSW) route in 2012.
The report found that in the five years prior to the new rules taking effect in 2012, student numbers continued to grow, but the following saw the first fall.
Labour's Paul Blomfield, Chair of the Group, said: "The report lays bare the negative impact that closure of the former post-study work visa has had on British businesses and universities. Alternative visa routes have failed to attract talent and have actually prevented skilled graduates from contributing to the UK jobs market. There is strong cross-party agreement on the need to take action to restore our reputation as the 'destination of choice' for international students from all countries. This report offers a sensible and workable set of recommendations that could make a difference."
While the all-party group notes that the UK remained the second most popular student destination in the world in the 2014, it adds: "our market share is slipping."
The report states: "In particular, important student markets to the UK such as India, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Japan have seen sharp declines. The overall impact has been offset by the continuing boom in Chinese students enrolling into UK higher education, who now exceed any other nationality: 87,895 Chinese students enrolled in 2013 and Indian students were second highest at 19,750. But we heard concerns about the over-dependence on one country."
"We found that the Government's own estimate that its policies would reduce those securing visas by 49% significantly underestimated the impact – with the real reduction being closer to 88%. We heard evidence of students instead applying to countries with a better post study work offer. Countries such as Australia had enhanced their PSW offer after seeing their own numbers falling following restrictions to their offer."
The report also highlights the concerns of small businesses on the increasing difficulty in recruiting from the pool of international students.
The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Migration recommends that the current UK post study work opportunities should be reconsidered with a view to maximising the attractiveness of UK higher education, and sending a positive message internationally that the UK is 'open for business.'
Specifically, it recommends that the Government should introduce a new immigration route which allows non-EEA students to remain in the UK for a period of at least 12 months following graduation from a recognised domestic academic institution.
Conservative MP Richard Bacon, a member of the Group, told Times Higher Education that the current approach on post-study work and student migration is "jeopardising Britain's position in the global race for talent".
"We need to adjust our policy and improve our ability to attract students from around the world," Bacon said.