New British Education Secretary: Int’l Students Treated As “Political Footballs”

Instead of being treated as valued guests, international students in the United Kingdom have been treated as “political footballs” for so long, the new education secretary Bridget Phillipson said in a recent address.

According to her, despite efforts to manage migration, the new government will take a different approach to international students and the latter will always be welcome in the United Kingdom.

In her speech at the Embassy Education Conference, she also mentioned that the new government will provide accurate information about international students’ situation in the UK, Erudera.com reports.

“I know there’s been some mixed messaging from governments in the past, from our predecessors most of all. And for too long international students have been treated as political footballs, not valued guests. Their fees welcomed, but their presence resented,” Phillipson said.

She further used the term “cheap headlines” to describe the treatment of international students in the UK, pointing out that international students’ contribution to universities and the community in the UK should be valued.

“I want Britain to welcome those who want to come to these shores to study, and meet the requirements to do so…Under this new government, education is once again at the forefront of national life,” she added.

Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data reveal that the number of international students in the UK has increased in recent years. In 2021/22, 679,970 international students were pursuing their degrees in the UK, up from 556,985 in 2019/20.

The Centre for Migration Control (CMC) reported a record number of international students (787,000) at UK universities in 2022/23. If the international student population in the country continues to grow, the number will soon hit 870,000, projections say.

According to authorities, their influx led to an increase in migration. Therefore, the government introduced over the past year some measures that affect international students, in a bid to address student visa abuse.

The changes first announced last May also include banning international students from switching from the student visa route to work routes until they have completed their courses.

Under the new rules, international students have been unable to bring their dependents to the country since January 2024. The rule does not apply to students on postgraduate research courses or courses with government-funded scholarships.

In her speech on July 23, 2024, Phillipson said the new government will do its utmost to help international students succeed. She recalls the opportunity for the latter to remain in the UK on a graduate visa for at least two years after their graduation.

Under a graduate visa, international students can stay in the UK for at least two years after completing a degree or those with a PhD for three years.