International students in UK education have been in the headlines for various reasons in 2024. A casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that international student migration is an issue to be dealt with. The facts tell a different story.
International students are not treated favourably over domestic students. Instead, they experience additional hurdles to study in the UK. With no access to public funds or to tuition fee loans, they finance their own education with expensive loans or with years of family savings.
Unable to find accommodation easily from overseas, they have to fund high-cost short-term accommodation, or at worst be vulnerable to exploitation. They are subject to arcane rules on academic progression that require them to travel (at a high cost) to their home country to apply for a new visa. They face different rules depending on level of study or the track record of their provider.
The recent policy removing the right to bring dependants on postgraduate taught courses discriminates against women and disabled students. Compounded with the inability to bring dependants in on the Graduate route and rising visa fees and immigration health surcharge costs, it is nearly impossible for anyone with a family or care responsibilities to decide to study here, and even more so to stay for up to 3 years while they build their work experience as a graduate.
