UK Home Secretary Investigates Potential Misuse of Student Visa Pathway for Employment

Home Secretary James Cleverly has rsed concerns that international students may be undermining the quality of UK higher education, using university courses as a pathway to gn work visas. In a letter to the Migration Advisory Committee MAC, he requested an investigation into whether such educational pathways are being exploited and potentially attracting the brightest and best talent instead.

Cleverly's focus specifically targets international students who graduate under the skilled workers visa route, stating that costs for tuition fees associated with one-year courses are low compared to the access they receive. This includes two years without job requirements on the Graduate Route followed by a reduced salary threshold period on the Skilled Worker Route. He posited that this might allow international graduates access to UK labor markets with salaries much below those expected of most migrant skilled workers.

The home secretary is instructing the MAC, an indepent advisory body for the government, to examine any evidence of abuse in relation to the Graduate Route and its effectiveness or lack thereof. This includes whether it has led to a degradation in the integrity and quality of UK higher education, potentially limiting opportunities for genuine support in attracting top-tier students who contribute to economic growth and benefit British education.

Concerns about this review are voiced by university leaders who fear that any cuts or restrictions on the Graduate Visa route might cause a significant decline in international student recruitment. This could result in a financial crisis for universities heavily reliant on income from international tuition fees.

Rachel Hewitt, CEO of MillionPlus, a group representing UK universities, argues that Cleverly's actions seem deliberately med at undermining the success of British higher education systems. She states it's impossible to imagine the government going out of its way to make Britn less inviting to investment.

Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, expresses concern about the abrupt announcement without adequate notice by Cleverly. He highlights that the Graduate Route is a crucial component of the offer made to international students and questions whether such changes would harm the reputation of Britn as an attractive destination for international students.

According to preliminary data cited in Cleverly's letter, only 23 of international students using the Skilled Worker route moved into graduate-level jobs following their studies. Furthermore, it was noted that only one-third of graduates achieved a salary exceeding ￡26,000 per year last year.

The MAC is expected to provide insights on these matters by early summer, with Vanessa Wilson from University Alliance emphasizing that international students should have the freedom to study at any UK university and contribute positively to all British students and regions through their presence.
This article is reproduced from: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2024/mar/12/overseas-students-undermining-uk-higher-education-warns-cleverly

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