With the introduction of a 6% levy and changes to the Graduate Route visa, students are reconsidering their stay in the UK. Pie News says the new proposal is, “perceived by many as the final blow in a year marked by rising costs, policy restrictions, and eroding post-study opportunities.”
International students say, “it’s becoming too much.” The levy is expected to increase tuition fees for international students. With the prices already being high, this increase could make studying in the UK unaffordable for some.
Stabilising measure
The paper was meant to be introduced as a stabilising measure by the government; whilst it may provide stability for university providers, in return it is causing stress for international students.
The biggest concerns
Finding a job post-graduation can be hard for many students but reducing the length of time that a graduate has to find a job can increase that pressure.
Some students have told Pie News that they are rethinking their applications altogether, “I was considering applying to UK universities, but with these new policies, I’m looking at Canada instead.”
The biggest concern, however, is cost. It’s not just about tuition fees, but the cost to move to the UK, secure accommodation and general living/maintenance prices have to be factored in too.
The final straw
The last 12 months have been tough for international students, this White Paper may have just pushed them over the edge, but there are other concerns too.
The cost-of-living crisis hasn’t just impacted British students but also those that have moved here to study. Rent prices have increased and so has the cost of the weekly food shop. Sources all over Google say the UK is “one of the most expensive countries to live in.”
On top of this, UK Home Office data shows a 10% drop in Skilled Worker visa applications year-on-year. This signifies that there is a limited employer uptake, making such courses less desirable if the employability rates are low.
Long-term risks
With all of these factors coming together, many students are starting to wonder whether studying in the UK would be a worthwhile experience.
Varsha Devi Balakrishnan at Pie News says there is a risk of the UK’s long-term reputation getting damaged by this move. She says, “Unless these concerns are addressed in both policy and tone, the UK may see not just a dip in enrolments, but a long-term loss of trust among globally mobile students who increasingly have alternatives, and are not afraid to take them.”
