10 Questions
According to the Migration Advisory Committee's review, what is the likely consequence of further cuts to international student numbers?
Some universities collapsing
What is the primary concern of the prime minister's spokesperson regarding student visas?
Prioritizing British students in the education system
What does the Universities UK chief executive, Vivienne Stern, describe as happening over the MAC review?
A massive political battle
Why does the Migration Advisory Committee recommend retaining the graduate route visa in its current form?
To avoid negative impacts on research and universities
What is the estimated worth of the UK's international student recruitment sector?
$30 billion
What is the current situation regarding the government's response to the MAC review, according to Vivienne Stern?
We are not out of the woods yet
Who has lobbied internally in support of keeping the graduate route?
Jeremy Hunt and Gillian Keegan
What is the name of the agenda mentioned in the article that overlaps with Labour's approach to international student recruitment?
Securonomics
What is the proportion of research spending in the UK that comes from universities themselves?
£5.6bn of the total research spending
What is the target mentioned in the article that business and trade secretary Kemi Badenoch has?
£1 trillion export target
Study Notes
UUK Chief Warns of "Massive Political Battle"
- The head of Universities UK, Vivienne Stern, has called for research leaders to speak up in defence of the graduate route visa.
- Stern warned that "we are not out of the woods" due to the ongoing political battle over the government's response to the Migration Advisory Committee's (MAC) review.
MAC Review and Recommendations
- The MAC report, published on 14 May, recommended that the graduate route should be retained in its present form.
- The report cautioned that further cuts to international student numbers would hit research and could lead to some universities collapsing.
Government Response and Debate
- There are signs that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could ignore the MAC's recommendation, as the government seeks to reduce net migration.
- The government's spokesperson stated that "British students should be the priority for our education system and universities and student visas must be used for education, not immigration."
- Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan have lobbied internally in support of keeping the graduate route.
- Former ministers Robert Jenrick and Neil O'Brien are leading a Tory charge against the MAC's findings, claiming the route has become a backdoor for low-skilled migration.
Labour Party Response
- Labour has remained silent on the MAC review and the graduate route.
- Vivienne Stern urged Labour to "be the grownups in the room" and propose a package focused on ensuring a stable, predictable, and well-managed international student regime.
International Student Recruitment and Research
- UK universities' international student recruitment provides a key cross-subsidy for research, worth £30 billion.
- £5.6 billion of the research spending in the UK comes from universities themselves.
- The MAC report highlighted the importance of the graduate route for research funding.
Expert Opinions
- Simon Marginson, professor of higher education at the University of Oxford, praised the MAC for not being swayed by populist anti-immigration politics.
- Stephen Curry, college consul at Imperial College London, recalled Michelle Donelan's statement that...
The head of Universities UK warns that the debate on the graduate route visa is not yet resolved, and research leaders must speak up in its defence.
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