ADVERTISEMENT
There are indications that the new immigration rules put in place by the United Kingdom have become a source of worry for British universities due to their financial implication.
This followed warnings by leaders in the UK higher education sector on the possible aftermath of the development.
With the new rules, Nigerian students, and others studying in the UK would from January 2024 no longer bring family as dependants except under specific circumstances.
According to a report by Evening Standard, a Director of Universities UK International, Jamie Arrowsmith, called on the government to limit the impact of changes to the immigration rules on universities already under “serious financial pressures.”
He added that the changes to rules on dependants are likely to have a “disproportionate impact on women and students from certain countries”.
On his part, the Director of the Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), Nick Hillman, said he hoped that Suella Braverman would now lobby the Chancellor “to help universities recoup their losses” following the announcement.
He said, “This is not a wise move because every part of the UK benefits from the presence of international students, and, if they are discouraged from coming to the UK, they won’t stay at home but instead go to our competitors.”
Mr Hillman added, “As a country, we risk cutting off our nose to spite our face. Given that international student fees subsidise the teaching of home students as well as UK research, I hope the Home Secretary will now be lobbying the Chancellor to help universities recoup their losses.”
Peoplesmind
