The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Migration published its findings in early 2015 in the report UK Post-Study Work Opportunities for International Students. The panel of MPs and peers claims that, as a result of the 2012 closure of the Tier 1 visa route, which allowed international graduates to find employment in the UK for up to two years without sponsorship, British universities are losing out to those of other Anglophone countries with more attractive post-study work opportunities. 

 

“The government’s current approach to post-study work and student migration policy is jeopardising Britain’s position in the global race for talent,” said Conservative MP Richard Bacon. “We are already losing out to countries with a more sensible approach, such as Australia, Canada and the United States.” The MPs have said that, since the removal of the Tier 1 visa route, there has been an 88 per cent decline in the number of students acquiring work visas after study in the UK.

 

The group has called on the government to maximise the UK’s offer to international students by opening a new route for work in the UK after graduation. “The report lays bare the negative impact that closure of the former post-study work visa has had on British businesses and universities,” said Labour MP Paul Blomfield.

 

“Alternative visa routes have failed to attract talent and have actually prevented skilled graduates from contributing to the UK jobs market,” he continued. “There is strong cross-party agreement on the need to take action to restore our reputation as the destination of choice for international students from all countries.”

 

David Boddy, principal of Anglo Schools International Services (ASIS), a company that helps international students and families relocating to the UK to gain access to the best schools and universities, believes it is imperative that international students recognise that “the door is wide open” for those who genuinely want to study in the UK. 

 

“We have been putting pressure on the UK government to recognise the enormous financial and social contribution the international student community makes to Britain,” he said. “Only lately, we put the case again to leading Conservatives, including the Chancellor. Most quality graduates will easily qualify for a starting salary over the threshold. What we would like to see, though, is for the UK government to drop its plan to throw out foreign students once they have finished their studies.”

 

The UK government is expecting around 600,000 international students at its universities and schools by 2020. Leading UK businesses backed the calls by ASIS and other educational groups for the threat to throw out students when they had finished their studies to be dropped.