UK Remains a Top Choice for International Students Despite Immigration White Paper Concerns
2 Min Read
Despite growing apprehensions surrounding the UK government’s recent immigration white paper, international student interest in the United Kingdom remains strong, according to new data from the Keystone Education Group.
The white paper, released on 12 May, proposes several major changes – including shortening the Graduate Route from 24 to 18 months, raising English language requirements for dependants and skilled workers, and imposing a controversial 6% levy on international student income earned by universities.
Yet early indicators suggest these proposals have not significantly dented the UK’s appeal. Keystone’s analysis of user search behaviour and survey responses points to a “robust” level of sustained interest in studying in the UK.
“We’re still seeing substantial year-on-year growth in the UK’s ‘share of search’,” said Mark Bennett, vice president of research and insight at Keystone. “Relative search interest for the UK is up more than 50% since the immigration proposals were first made.”
Of the 400 prospective master’s students surveyed by Keystone, 42% said the shortened Graduate Route would make no difference to their plans, while only 21% reported they would be “much less likely” to study in the UK.
Importantly, awareness of the proposed changes remains low. Less than half of the surveyed students were aware of modifications to the Graduate Route, indicating that the impact of these policy changes may be more muted than feared—at least for now.
Bennett highlighted that the UK’s recent immigration proposals could be viewed as the “least damaging” outcome, especially compared to fears that visas might be tied directly to skills-based employment.
Despite the UK’s current offer being weaker than it was two years ago, many international students still see the United Kingdom as a relatively stable and predictable study destination, especially in contrast to shifting policies in countries like Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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