59
Accepted
In the view of Mary Senior, University and College Union Scotland, things like a “hostile...
Recommendation
In the view of Mary Senior, University and College Union Scotland, things like a “hostile environment and [ … ] draconian immigration system” all impact on the ability of Scottish universities to attract EU students.142 Universities UK believes the UK Government must “act now” or risk losing European students “for years to come”.143 It says that: The UK Government has predicted a decline in EU student numbers of roughly 20% as a result of the change to a points-based [immigration] system, although this estimate was calculated before the impact of the pandemic. Other estimates signal an even greater potential loss in overseas talent.144
Government Response Summary
The government states it has launched a new global, points-based immigration system, including the Graduate route, and is promoting these extensively to welcome international students, aiming for 600,000 by 2030, which it believes addresses the issue.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
We have now launched our new global, points-based immigration system, including most recently, the Graduate route, and have extensively promoted these new immigration routes throughout the EU and the rest of the world—sending out a clear message the UK welcomes the brightest and the best, whether they be at the start of their career as a young graduate, or a respected and experience member of their profession. We continue to welcome international students, placing no limit on their numbers, and we remain committed to increasing the number of international Higher Education students in the UK to 600,000 by 2030, as set out in the Government’s International Education Strategy. As part of the new Graduate route, international students who complete a PhD from Summer 2021 can stay in the UK for 3 years after study to live and work; students who have successfully completed undergraduates and master’s degrees to stay 2 years after study. The points-based immigration system’s new Student route includes several improvements to further streamline the immigration process, including extending the window in which prospective students can make visa applications, removing study time limits at postgraduate level and allowing all students to switch to another type of visa from within the UK. The new points-based immigration system treats EU and non-EU citizens equally and provides simple, effective, and flexible arrangements for skilled workers from around the world to come to the UK.
Source
Committee
Scottish Affairs Committee
Inquiry
Universities and Scotland
Report
First Report - Universities and Scotland
28 May 2021
HC 54
Addressee Bodies
Scotland Office
Timeline
Recommendation age
5.2 yrs
Report published
28 May 2021