The UK’s net migration target should be abandoned as it creates a “perverse incentive” to cut international student numbers, an influential think tank has recommended.
The government should also reinstate post-study work visas in a bid to attract more genuine international students to Britain, a report from the Institute for Public Policy Research argues.
Universities and other institutions with “highly trusted sponsor” status should be able to vouch for international graduates to allow them to stay to work in the UK for up to six months for those holding an undergraduate degree, and up to two years for those holding MBAs or PhDs, the IPPR says.
An IPSOS Mori poll of prospective Indian students conducted for IPPR found that most felt the scrapping of the post-study work visa last year was putting Indian students off the UK, and over half said that the ability to work after graduating was an extremely important factor in choosing where to study.
Get the full picture from HEi-know: Briefing Report 113