Further and Higher Education 2020-06-22
2020-06-22
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Questions & Answers
Q1
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The reintroduced graduate work visa aims to attract international students and help the education sector recover from COVID-19.
The reintroduced graduate work visa could indeed help universities and colleges to attract international students and to recover from covid-19: it is just an appalling reflection on Tory Governments that we have been without such a visa for such a long time. Can the Minister say what discussions she has had about extending the graduate visa offered to students who are already here on tier 4 visas, so that both the education sector and the wider economy can use their skills in our recovery?
There is a lot of work going on to ensure that we support the university sector through this crisis. On 20 April, the Home Office updated its visa guidance to provide greater certainty for international higher education students in the UK impacted by coronavirus. On 22 May, the Home Office announced that visas due to expire before 31 May would be extended to 31 July 2020 for those unable to return home. More work will be done in this area.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Scottish universities received information about the measures a month later than their English counterparts, raising concerns about consultation processes. There is potential for higher education to contribute to post-COVID economic recovery.
Monaghan inquired about discussions between the Minister and Home Office regarding extending the graduate work visa from two years to four years to improve the UK's attractiveness for international students after recognizing reputational damage done by hostile bureaucracy. She noted that a former Universities Minister, Jo Johnson, highlighted the need to address this issue.
Keegan responded that the UK does indeed offer a globally attractive education opportunity, evidenced by its appeal to numerous international students. She stated that the government remains proud of the sector and will continue to collaborate with it during challenging times, working alongside the Department for International Trade and the Home Office to ensure clear pathways for those wishing to study in the UK.
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