University of York Chancellor Greg Dyke has written a letter to the government calling for a rethink on immigration policy, believing the current stance could drive international students elsewhere.
He becomes one of 68 university chancellors and governors to sign the letter to David Cameron, with many fearing that overseas students are being unfairly treated by government policy to reduce immigration.
The letter calls for the government to remove university students from net migration figures, which they help support the economy and maintain income. It also highlights key changes to the student visa system, which could force foreign students to look elsewhere for higher education.
Measures include banning students remaining in the country unless they earn at least £20,000 in a skilled job, requiring them to provide evidence of progression through their course, and preventing them from embarking on any course for longer than five years.
York has traditionally had a strong contingent of overseas students, with 23% of the current student body being made up of international students.
The move has received support within the University with York Registrar and Secretary David Duncan, telling Vision: “As a top 100 world institution, the University of York has a global reputation and attracts high calibre students from all over the world. It is vitally important that we continue to be a global player and are not restricted by government policy in our selection of students.
“We are hopeful that the government will recognise the strength of our case and implement its policies in a way that doesn’t restrict the flow of international students to the UK.”
YUSU International Officer Ankita Chawla similarly supported the stance, telling Vision: “York welcomes a large number of international students who not only provides economic benefits to the University and the city, but promote culture and internationalization within the area.”
“Whilst the government may be aiming at only welcoming ‘cream students’ to the UK, I think that decision should be made by the universities in order to uphold their reputation and educational standards, not the governments.
“Changes in immigration law may drive colleges and universities to set up campuses overseas in order to reap the economic benefits that they attract solely based on the reputation of the UK education system. This could result in the ‘easy availability’ of UK education which could further prove to be detrimental to the UK economy.”
However, immigration minister Damien Green has rebufffed the accusation of the universities, claiming the governement is “determined to prevent the abuse of student visas as part of our plans to get net migration down to the tens of thousands.”