Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

International Students: Contribution to the UK

02 November 2022 · 7 other contributors · 9,099 words

Opened by Alyn Smith SNP Stirling

Responding minister: Robert Halfon

Scotland

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Alyn Smith raised concerns about international students: contribution to the uk in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • MP concerned about the significant contribution of international students to Scotland and the UK, citing statistics from 2020-21 where 24.1% of university enrolments in Scotland were from outside the UK.
  • MP asks the Government to assess the economic cost of restricting international students and their dependants, and seeks reassurance on retaining the graduate visa route established in 2021.
  • Minister acknowledges the UK's ambition to host at least 600,000 international students by 2030, noting this target was met nearly ten years early.

Key requests to Government

The MP asks the Government to assess the economic cost of restricting international students and their dependants. He seeks reassurance on retaining the graduate visa route established in 2021, maintaining the successful international strategy including the target to host 600,000 international students by 2030, and explores opportunities for closer EU relations.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Alyn Smith SNP Stirling

The MP is concerned about the significant contribution that international students make to Scotland and the UK, particularly in terms of enriching academic environments and contributing economically. He highlights statistics such as 24.1% of university enrolments in Scotland coming from outside the UK in 2020-21, with Stirling University hosting 5,000 international students (30% of its student population). The MP also expresses worries about policies that could undermine this progress.

Other contributors (7)
  • Carol Monaghan SNP Glasgow North

    Carol Monaghan highlighted the significant economic and cultural contributions of international students in Glasgow, noting a decline in EU student numbers due to Brexit. She criticised the previous government's decision to scrap post-study work visas and the current Home Secretary's rhetoric towards international students. Made an intervention mentioning City of Glasgow College, likely referring to its role or contribution in relation to the debate topic.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon praised the contribution of international students to Northern Ireland's higher education institutions, highlighting that they contribute financially and culturally. He noted that international students from outside the EU typically pay between £15,000 and £30,000 a year in tuition fees, contributing approximately £102,000 each to the UK economy during their studies. Shannon emphasized the importance of retaining and building upon Northern Ireland's thriving higher education sector.

  • Kate Green Lab Stretford and Urmston

    Endorses the value added by international students in commuter universities like Manchester Metropolitan, noting that these students may have less opportunity to travel abroad due to responsibilities. My hon. Friend makes an important point about the wider benefits to local and regional economies. Part of the economic contribution comes from our universities' capacity for research, raising concern that a decline in international students will reduce their contribution to subsidising university research costs, impacting regional and national economies. Endorsed the importance of international students to UK universities, highlighting their financial contribution and role in research. Emphasised the value of soft power through relationships built with international academics and students.

  • Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington

    He emphasised the cultural, social, and economic value of international students to UK universities, highlighting the £26 billion net economic benefit they brought in 2018-19. He criticised recent government rhetoric on migration that has harmed the country's reputation as a destination for international students.

  • Patrick Grady SNP Glasgow North

    Representing a university constituency, Patrick Grady highlighted the University of Glasgow's long international history and its current student body, which includes around 14,000 international students from various countries. He stressed the positive impact these students have on the city, including in cultural festivals and campus development. However, he noted challenges such as the housing crisis for new arrivals and issues with visa access due to the hostile environment policy.

  • Paul Blomfield Lab Sheffield Central

    Stressed the importance of international students for UK universities, local economies and soft power. Highlighted the economic benefits to Sheffield Central amounting to £184 million GVA and over 3,000 jobs. Criticised recent rhetoric from Home Office as damaging and undermining efforts to attract more international students.

  • Tonia Antoniazzi Lab Glasgow North East

    The MP pays tribute to the hon. Member's work in the all-party parliamentary universities group, agreeing with her sentiments about welcoming international students and their contribution.

Government Response

Robert Halfon

It is a pleasure to serve under you, Mr Stringer. I congratulate the hon. Member for Stirling on a very thoughtful speech. The higher education sector has an extraordinary reputation; four of the top 10 universities in the world are in the UK. Our ambition was to house at least 600,000 international students by 2030, which we met nearly ten years early. There are currently 68,180 international students in Scotland and EU-domiciled student entrants increased by 4% in 2021 compared with the previous year according to data from HESA. International students contribute £25.9 billion to the economy, over 60% of education export earnings and every resident is about £390 a year better off as a result. The net economic impact per student was estimated at £95,000 for the 2018-19 cohort. We should not rely too much on one cohort or certain countries; universities should be cautious like businesses are cautious of single suppliers. Sir Steve Smith has been appointed as the UK's international education champion to explore opportunities in key priority regions such as India with around 84,000 Indian students currently studying here. The Turing scheme supports our students to go abroad and has roughly £100 million invested into it with over 38,000 students benefiting from it. We are supporting Ukrainian students in the UK through various initiatives and funding for higher education providers like the University of Glasgow, Cardiff University, Queen's University Belfast and Sheffield Hallam University. We remain committed to working towards our ambitions set out in the international education strategy to host at least 600,000 students per year in the UK by 2030.

Get updates like this by email
▸ Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy