‘Wretched’ International Fee Levy Threatens UK Universities, Warns UUK Boss
2 Min Read
The head of Universities UK (UUK), Vivienne Stern, has launched a fierce attack on the government’s idea to introduce a levy on international student fees, calling the plan “wretched.” Speaking at a recent conference, Ms Stern openly questioned whether the controversial tax would ever truly resolve the political struggle over student immigration figures, which she labelled a “perma-battle.”
Ms Stern did acknowledge that the proposal might have been an attempt by some in government to genuinely support the higher education sector and demonstrate the economic benefits overseas students bring to the UK. It is understood that the money raised from the levy would be channelled into maintenance grants for less-privileged domestic students.
However, the UUK boss was quick to dismiss the strategy, stating frankly, “Now, I personally don’t buy it.” She suggested the policy was unlikely to win over the public, especially as political focus remains heavily on domestic concerns like the ‘Broken Britain’ narrative. She believes the real issue is “political inaction and frankly cowardice” concerning the country’s domestic tuition fees, which have been effectively frozen for years.
This stagnant funding has forced UK universities into a corner, relying heavily on international student fees to subsidise everything from valuable research to the teaching of domestic students. Ms Stern welcomed the small recent increase in domestic fees and the pledge for inflation-linked rises from 2026 as a “massive win,” but warned that the sector should prepare to “lose the battle” on the new levy, which she expects to be announced in the Autumn Budget.
The broader higher education community shares this concern. Experts have warned that a levy—modelled at a possible 6%—could be disastrous, potentially leading to over 77,000 fewer international enrolments within five years. Such a drop would not only severely strain university finances, which often run on tight margins, but also impact the wider UK economy, which profits significantly from these students’ fees and local spending. Universities face a tough choice: absorb the considerable cost or risk pricing themselves out of a highly competitive global market.
Ultimately, Ms Stern’s powerful message highlights the financial instability gripping UK universities. While helping disadvantaged domestic students is a worthwhile goal, taxing a successful export industry to achieve it is widely seen as a short-sighted and deeply precarious approach. The fight to have this tax removed is clearly set to continue long after the Budget announcement, signalling a difficult road ahead for British higher education.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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