International students welcome in UK: British Government

Keir Starmer’s government is promising the globe that the new UK leadership will allow foreign students to study there, a departure from Rishi Sunak’s anti-immigration stance.

“I wish to correct misconceptions regarding overseas students. I am aware that in the past, particularly from our predecessors, there have been conflicting messages from governments. Furthermore, foreign students have for too long been seen like political footballs rather than as esteemed guests. We appreciate their fees, but we detest their presence; they are used for clickbait headlines rather than valued for everything they do to our communities. This government will communicate openly and adopt a different strategy. Never doubt that the UK welcomes international students. Secretary of State for Education Bridget Phillipson stated, “This new government values their contribution – to our universities, to our communities, to our country.”

“Under this new government, opportunity is for everyone,” the minister intended to convey when she spoke at the Embassy Education Conference on July 23.

She also took advantage of the occasion to restate the fact that overseas students are granted permission by the UK government to stay in the country for two years, or three years in the case of PhD students, after their studies are completed in order to work, live, and make contributions. She continued, “International students will always be welcome in this country, even though this government is committed to managing migration carefully.”

A few months before Phillipson’s statement, Rishi Sunak, the previous prime minister of the United Kingdom, had suggested reducing or eliminating the Graduate Route in an effort to halt the rapidly rising migration figures. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) suggested that the UK’s graduate visa program “remains in place in its current form,” or else UK universities risk losing their financial stability or maybe closing. As a result, the plan was abandoned.