Asked by: Lord Reid of Cardowan (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to encourage international students to pursue higher education in this country, and (2) to develop post-graduation opportunities for these students.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)
The government recognises that international students enrich university campuses, forge lifelong friendships with domestic students and become global ambassadors for the UK, as well as making a significant economic contribution to the higher education sector and the UK.
The UK has four universities in the top 10 globally and 15 in the top 100, and offers international students the opportunity to live and work in the UK on a graduate visa for two to three years after their studies come to an end.
In my right hon. Friend’s, the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Written Ministerial Statement on 30 July, it was confirmed that the government has maintained the reduced salary thresholds on the Skilled Worker visa route. Reduced salary thresholds make it easier for employers to recruit new entrants to the labour market, such as international students, post-graduation, on a Skilled Worker visa.
The department fully expects the UK to remain a highly attractive study destination to international students.