Over the weekend, it was reported that UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was considering reducing the number of international students permitted in the country, specifically those pursuing “low-quality degrees.” A spokesperson for the prime minister said the idea was being assessed in an effort to bring down net migration, which has risen to a record high of half a million. The spokesperson declined to comment on what would be classified as a “low-quality degree” by the government.
Here’s what we know so far and what the idea could mean for Australia’s international education sector.
Understanding the idea and subsequent public reactions
While the prime minister has yet to officially action anything, the announcement has sparked immediate controversy.
The first reason for the outrage stems from the fact that the decision would directly contradict the UK government’s levelling-up agenda, a programme that seeks to spread opportunity more equally across the UK. Additionally, the move could bankrupt multiple UK universities, particularly those located in poorer regions.
“Most universities for most courses lose money on teaching British students and offset that loss by charging more for international students. If you close down the international route I’m not sure how the university continues to survive,” explained Professor Brian Bell on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme.
Three Conservative officials, Jo Johnson, Chris Skidmore and David Willets, have now expressed serious concern over the possibility. All three have previously served as universities minister at some point in the last decade.
“It would be a disaster for international student populations to shrink in areas like Preston or Newcastle, or anywhere else where there’s a regional university,” said Skidmore. “To pull the plug would potentially destabilise the future of the UK economy, it would destabilise the ability to level up areas which are seeing inward investment from international students, and it would destabilise the UK role in the world, post-Brexit.”
In his remarks, Johnson called it “a mindless crackdown on international students.”
@insiderguides UK PM Rishi Sunak is reportedly considering putting a cap on the number of international students permitted in the UK 🇬🇧 Here’s a quick explainer of what that could mean for Australia 🇦🇺 #fyp #insiderguides #internationalstudents #studyinaustralia #studyintheuk #rishisunak ♬ Lo-fi hip hop – NAO-K
What could this mean for Australia?
Both the UK and Australia are recognised globally for their booming international education sectors. Year after year, both nations are top destinations for international students, largely due to the selection of world-class universities, strong employment markets and incredible travel opportunities.
Currently, the UK has a larger population of international students, exceeding 600,000 people, while Australia hosts a little over 569,000 international students. However, if PM Sunak does decide to move forward, thousands of international students will be forced to seek higher education elsewhere – and Australia could be a top contender.
Additionally, just one day before PM Sunak’s spokesperson revealed these considerations, the Australian Government reiterated its commitment to its foreign student cohort. On 24 November 2022, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Education Jason Clare met with the International Education and Training finalists at Parliament House, recognising them for their “outstanding international success.” The government later released a statement extending a warm welcome to international students.
“On behalf of the Albanese Government, I extend my warmest welcome to all international students studying or planning to study with Australia,” said Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell. “We are excited to have you with us, in Australia and around the world. You are such an important part of our proudly diverse society and our global education programs.”
