Session 2013-14
Immigration Bill
Written evidence from Universities UK (IB 20)
International student accommodation
The following table shows the distribution of international students by accommodation provider. [Source: Higher Education Statistics Agency]
Comparative costs
The average cost of study abroad for international students is set out below. [Source: UUK/ HSBC 2013]
|
Country |
Ave. annual tuition fees (GBP) |
Ave. annual cost of living (GBP) |
Visa fees (for an Indian student) (GBP) |
Total for first year of study (GBP) |
|
Australia |
16185 |
8381 |
308 |
24874 |
|
United States |
16090 |
6684 |
102 |
22876 |
|
United Kingdom |
12304 |
7038 |
298 |
19640 |
|
United Arab Emirates |
13631 |
3830 |
286 |
17747 |
|
Canada |
11784 |
4807 |
77 |
16668 |
Export earnings
The government’s recently published international education strategy Global Growth and Prosperity includes an analysis of the economic contribution made by international students in higher education. This puts the total contribution at £10.2 billion in 2011-12 alone.
The strategy stated that:
"Overseas students who come to Britain to study make a huge contribution to our economy. In 2011/12 we estimate that overseas students studying at higher education institutions in the UK paid £3.9bn in tuition fees (net of scholarships) and £6.3bn in living expenses. This market has grown sharply in recent years, but competition from other countries is intensifying. We believe it is realistic for numbers of international students in higher education to grow by 15-20% over the next five years. For this to happen we must show that the UK values international students, will provide a warm welcome and support while they are here and will keep in touch after they go home."
An earlier report, also published by BIS in 2011, estimated that higher education export earnings could grow to £17 billion by 2025.
Immigration compliance
In 2010 the Home Office report Overseas Students in the Immigration System concluded that non-compliance rates amongst international students at universities were no more than two per cent. Since that report was published additional measures have been introduced to eliminate abuse - including placing additional responsibilities on universities who act as Tier 4 sponsors to report students who have disengaged with their studies; credibility interviews for Tier 4 visa applicants and academic progression checks. During the last year, Universities UK ran 12 joint compliance seminars in partnership with the Home Office, and work is on-going to improve the guidance and support available to sponsors. We would expect this combination of factors to have reduced the non-compliance rate below the two per cent level reported in 2010.
International competitors
Many of the UK’s international competitors are taking steps to increase their attractiveness as a destination for international students.
Visa requirements compared to the UK’s main competitors
The Committee rightly pointed out that free healthcare is not available to international students in many of our major competitor countries; indeed some of them require evidence of health insurance as part of the visa application process. The following table sets out the requirements of our major competitors. This shows that requirements for students who wish to study in the UK are, in many cases, more stringent than in competitor countries, particularly in relation to language requirements; academic progression; limits on study time; the ability to bring dependents and police registration. Combined, these create the impression that it is harder to secure a visa to study in the UK.
UK visa requirements compared to main competitors [1]
|
UK |
Australia |
Canada |
New Zealand |
USA |
|
|
English language requirement |
B2 level of English overall and in all four components |
B2 level overall (IELTS 6.0). No minimum requirement in component scores |
No proof of English required to get a student visa |
No proof of English required to get a student visa |
No proof of English required to get a student visa |
|
Credibility interviews |
Yes. A LL students apart from low-risk nationals |
Applicants may face an interview but not mandatory |
Applicants may face an interview but not mandatory |
No |
Yes - mandatory |
|
Genuine intent? |
Yes, student intent assessed during interview |
Must meet Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement |
Must satisfy immigration officer that they will depart at end of authorised stay |
Must show evidence of how they intend to leave New Zealand or evidence of funds to cover expenses |
Must have a residence abroad or intend to depart upon completion of the course in the USA |
|
Academic progression |
Yes |
No |
No |
No |
No |
|
Dependants |
Only those studying at postgraduate level for more than 12 months |
Yes, if eligible for streamlined visa or low-risk or higher risk but have been in Australia more than 12 months |
Yes |
Yes |
Undergraduates and postgraduates studying more than 12 months |
|
Police registration |
Nationals of 42 countries must register |
No but applicants must be of good character |
No but applicants must have no criminal record |
Students in NZ for less than 24 months are not required to provide police certificate |
No police certificate required |
|
Health insurance |
No |
Yes, must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) |
No, but many applicants must have medical examination for entry > 6 months . Canada does not pay for the medical costs of foreign students. |
Yes, must have appropriate, current medical insurance [1] |
No insurance required to secure a visa but many institutions require it of students |
|
Limits on study time |
Yes – five years ( some exemptions) |
No |
No |
No |
No |
November 2013
[1] Information taken from the Home Office website, Department of Immigration and Citizenship Australia, Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Immigration New Zealand, US Bureau of Consular Affairs
[1] Is a requirement of the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students