Last week, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak retreated from his plan to scrap the post study work visa for international students; therefore, Lord Karan Bilimoria, chancellor of the University of Birmingham, has advised Indian students to choose UK for their higher education.
“Prime Minister Sunak has relented in his resolve to withdraw the post study work visa after a strong opposition from many of his Cabinet ministers and the goodwill visit report by the migration advisory committee (MAC) on the graduate visa route in the UK. Bilimoria told The Times of India that now Indian students who had put off their plans to study in England should go ahead and pay their deposits to universities and enroll for their courses soon.” He further noted that earlier this year doubts about graduate route for international students influenced staying among Indian students from studying in United Kingdom.
The graduate route allows overseas graduates to stay in the country for two years following their studies (three years for Ph.D.) in order to gain work experience.
“The drop-out rate of Indian students coming here is explained by new strict regulations which prevent them from bringing family members along as well as a rise in minimum salary requirement for work visas. However, this fact does not rule out an increase in September’s number of Indians going there since now it is no longer possible due to unchangeable decision concerning graduate route,” added Bilimoria.
Bilimoria feels that Indian students joining courses later this year have nothing more to worry about regarding the graduate route because despite anti-immigration stance led by right wing groups within Conservative party; PM will listen to MAC recommendations and keep post study visa instead of scrapping it. “It was started under labour government; however scrapped afterwards by Conservatives. If labour wins next election-which is most likely-it will definitely retain it. I am very positive that considering our top-class education system we will witness a significant increase in number of Indian kids heading there for education,” Bilimoria continued.
British experts believe that a sharp drop in the number of international students will cause great damage to the UK economy since overseas students pay much higher fees thus subsidizing domestic ones. “There are worries among many university vice-chancellors in UK that their numbers of international students dropped; meaning they’re going through a tough financial times. Without them, there is no future for many post graduate courses”-Bilimoria felt.
