4th March, 2009

In a recent article in The Guardian, Anthea Lipsett reported that vice chancellors have warned the government is in danger of damaging British higher education by increasing visa fees and introducing new visa rules.

The Home Office has increased the application fee for UK study visas for the academic year of 2009-2010 from £99 to £145. Visa fees for extensions via postal applications in the UK will increase from £295 to £357 and in-person applications from £500 to £565. There are additional costs for dependents.

The end of March will also see the introduction of Tier 4 of the new points-based system for non-EU migration. Under the new rules, educational institutions will be required to monitor their international students and report any unauthorised absences, or if a student fails to enrol for their course, to the UKBA. These changes were made without any consultation with the UK’s higher education sector.

The costs associated with studying in a foreign country are steep enough without further increases. This could result in the UK falling by the wayside as a study destination for foreign students especially in the face of fierce competition from Australia and America.

International students’ fees make a substantial contribution to universities funds as they pay higher levies than local students. If the number of international students decreases, educational institutions could become under-funded.

These changes could also have a knock-on affect on the future of the UK economy. At present the new tier system allows foreign students who have completed a degree level qualification in the UK to remain and work in the in their specialised field for a period of two years, contributing to the economy by utilising their education gained in the country. If the UK government continues to increase fees and requirements, the number of foreign students coming to study in the UK in the first place is likely to decrease. This will result in fewer qualified individuals remaining in the UK and contributing to the economy.

Diana Warwick, chief executive of vice-chancellors' umbrella group Universities UK, was quoted in The Guardian saying: “The increase in fees will come at the same time as a number of other changes in the UK's immigration system and the UK government is in serious danger of sending out a message that it does not welcome international students.”