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Universities and colleges

UK Government Sets Ambitious Targets for Education Exports, While Visa Rules Remain Unchanged

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The UK's Conservative government has set ambitious targets to increase education exports from £18bn in 2012 to £30bn by 2020, but has no plans to alter visa rules for international students. According to new Minister for Universities and Science, Jo Johnson, the UK's offering to international students is strong, but has suffered from misconceptions and misunderstandings. Despite criticism from university leaders, Johnson defended the Home Office's approach to international students, citing the shutdown of 870 bogus colleges since 2010. The minister also announced that details about the role universities will play in ensuring international students do not overstay their visa will be announced shortly.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UK government aims to increase education exports from £18bn in 2012 to £30bn by 2020, without changing visa rules for international students.
  • Minister Jo Johnson defended the Home Office's approach to international students, which has resulted in the shutdown of 870 bogus colleges since 2010.
  • The number of Indian students coming to the UK fell from 18,535 in 2010-11 to 10,235 in 2012-13, according to a report by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.
  • University leaders have criticized the previous coalition government's policy on international students, arguing that its rhetoric and the removal of post-study work visas were off-putting.
  • The minister announced that details about the role universities will play in ensuring international students do not overstay their visa will be announced shortly.
  • The UK's science budget will be prioritized, with the government committing to implementing its manifesto pledge in full.
  • The minister declined to speculate on how science and research would fare if Britain were to leave the EU, saying it was a "hypothetical question."

Statistics:

  • The UK government wants to increase education exports from £18bn in 2012 to £30bn by 2020.
  • The number of Indian students coming to the UK fell from 18,535 in 2010-11 to 10,235 in 2012-13.
  • The Home Office has shut down 870 bogus colleges since 2010.
  • The UK's science budget will be prioritized.

Sources:

  • Rebecca Ratcliffe, "UK education exports to hit £30bn by 2020, says Jo Johnson" ( source, exact format: no date provided, verbatim quote: "We have set targets to increase education exports from £18bn in 2012 to £30bn by 2020".)
  • Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) report, "International students in HE" ( source, exact format: no date provided, statistic: "18,535 Indian students in 2010-11, 10,235 in 2012-13")

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