Unis must rethink ‘perverse consequences’ of foreign student plan

Universities will be barred from accepting foreign students if they can’t prevent their courses being used for those claiming asylum in the UK, The Times has reported.

As part of a new regime, universities will be penalised if fewer than 95% of international students accepted on to a course start their studies, or if fewer than 90% continue to the end. 

According to The Times, institutions that accept foreign students will face sanctions if more than 5% of their visas are rejected.

The plans, which are expected to be announced next month, are “designed to prevent the growing numbers of foreign nationals using study visas to enter the UK and then claim asylum”, The Times said.

Responding to The Times’ claims that the government will punish universities for accepting international students who seek asylum, UCU general secretary Jo Grady warned the policy could have “perverse consequences”, such as baring students from countries including Palestine. 

She said: “Attempting to turn universities into an extension of the border force is not only shameful but doomed to fail. Admissions must focus on academic ability, not whether an incoming student may need to seek asylum. 

“This policy could have perverse consequences, such as forcing a university to bar students from war torn countries like Palestine or Ukraine because they may not be able to safely return home.”

She added: “After another weekend in which far right groups like Britain First took to the streets to protest against asylum seekers, Labour has a responsibility to challenge anti-migrant rhetoric which has further dehumanised those seeking refuge, not add to it.

“It must stop sacrificing our universities on the altar of its hopeless attempts to outflank Reform on immigration and start backing the sector. Only then will higher education be able to thrive, improve local economies and enhance the UK’s global standing.”