UKCISA response to the statement from the Home Secretary

In response to the written ministerial statement issued today by Home Office, Anne Marie Graham, Chief Executive of UKCISA, said:

Here at UKCISA, we welcome commitment to International Education Strategy’s targets and continued support for the Graduate Route. We are deeply disappointed to see this policy take effect to end the right to bring dependants for those on postgraduate taught courses. This policy will have a significant impact on many of our members and their ability to sustainably diversify recruitment, and will mean that home students have fewer opportunities to study alongside international students. Additionally, this policy will also disproportionately affect potential international students who are unable to travel with dependants and will mean that they choose to study elsewhere. This decision will be accepted by many as a concession in recognition of continuing pressures of costs of living and accommodation on our international student population, but the decision comes at a time when the UK is a leading destination for students from around the world and restating its commitment to welcome international students to the UK. It is also being introduced at a point where our competitors are introducing a range of progressive and welcoming policies for international students and their dependants, both during and after their studies.

We will continue to raise our concerns about this policy with government departments and hope that changes will be reviewed. Furthermore, we will continue to consult with our members to understand the impact of these changes and continue to provide insights to the government to influence policy.

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