Graduate Route Under Review – Findings to be revealed in May
In a recent announcement, Home Secretary James Cleverly revealed that the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) is set to deliver its findings on the UK Graduate Route review by the 14th of May.
This review, initiated in December 2023, aims to assess the effectiveness and integrity of the route for international students seeking post-study work opportunities in the UK.
Concerns regarding abuse of the Graduate Route arise.
Cleverly outlined the government's concerns regarding potential abuse of the Graduate Route, emphasizing the need to ensure that applications are driven by a genuine pursuit of education rather than solely immigration motives:
“We must prevent abuse of this route, protect the integrity and quality of our higher education, and ensure it works in our best interests.”
Cleverly outlined his wider plans to crack down on immigration, including “a comprehensive and tough package which means around 300,000 people eligible to come to the UK last year would now be unable to do so”.
The terms of reference for the MAC's review shed light on the comprehensive scope of the assessment.
Expected to be included are analyses of abuse instances, the route's alignment with its intended purpose, demographics of users, and their contributions to the UK economy.
Additionally, the review will evaluate whether the Graduate Route affects the integrity and quality of the UK higher education system, in line with the government's broader International Education Strategy.
A key aspect of concern highlighted by Cleverly is the observed rise in international students attending lower-tier institutions, citing a significant increase of "over 250% between 2018 and 2022."
The reviews timeline and potential outcome.
Stakeholders have expressed varying viewpoints regarding the review's timeline and potential outcomes.
While some argue for a thorough consultation process to consider wider implications, others caution against rushing the review, emphasizing the need for comprehensive analysis to maintain the MAC's credibility.
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, expressed concerns over the review's timeline, cautioning that "efforts by government to rush this timeline could undermine the legitimacy of what the MAC is able to do."
Arrowsmith stressed the importance of engaging with the higher education sector to assess the policy's broader benefits and implications of any proposed changes.
Concerns for wider implications in the higher education sector.
Since the announcement, stakeholders have suggested that amending or removing the Graduate Route could give an advantage to the UK’s competitor markets.
Data collated by IDP backed this sentiment by indicating that roughly 45% of applicants would likely change or consider changing their study destination if the post-study work period was shortened.
The outcome of the review will likely have far-reaching implications for international students, higher education institutions, and the rental market.
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