The Premier League is widely regarded as one of the UK’s finest global exports. An industry that has a proud historic tradition on these shores and is the envy of most nations across the world. Lauded as a great British brand, its powerful global reach is a tool in international soft power diplomacy and a magnet for overseas investment. Unquestionably, it attracts the best talent from across the world, who showcase their skills in world-leading facilities in towns and cities up and down the land: global talent working alongside local talent to produce world-class results.
Few would argue with the statements above, least not me as those who know me would testify, but the same could be said of UK higher education. A prestigious UK export industry that is highly-respected worldwide. An industry, like football, that is global and civic, distributed across all geographical areas of the country, and an engine for economic growth and ‘levelling up’ in those places.
International students are vital to higher education and the UK – they bring global perspectives, talent, and skills to every part of our country. UUK and the Higher Education Policy Institute have carried out excellent research highlighting that, among many wider benefits to the UK, international students support the economy to the tune of £41.9 billion a year. The contributions of international students in the UK are celebrated in the highly-impactful #WeAreInternational campaign, which re-launched on 26 September this year.
