The UK has become a less welcoming study destination due to its tough new visa rules and problematic visa application process, a survey of international students confirms today. A total of 5,000 overseas students on UK university and college courses were polled, with one in five saying they no longer felt welcome in the country and a further one in five were undecided.
Meanwhile, 70% thought the cost of a student visa was now unreasonable (having increased by more than 50% since 2009) and 8% said they had applied as many as three times for their visa, having initially being refused.
The media publicity given to UK immigration policy changes was also found to have influenced perceptions of the UK. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), which carried out the survey, said that the number of international students coming to the UK’s universities and colleges from some countries had already fallen significantly. It fears that without urgent action the drop will be much larger in 2012.
Dominic Scott, chief executive of UKCISA, said: “Given the UK’s relentless focus on net migration, immigration abuse and student visas, recently played out in the media around the world, it is not surprising that even amongst those who have chosen to come this year there are concerns.”
While 70 per cent of students canvassed found the visa application process quick and efficient (up from 59 per cent in 2009), many made other complaints. One irritation was the fact that the new rules had been implemented in the middle of an admissions cycle, causing confusion for more than half the students, and forcing 10 per cent to take last-minute English language tests or pre-sessional courses.
Meanwhile, 70% thought the cost of a student visa was now unreasonable (having increased by more than 50% since 2009) and 8% said they had applied as many as three times for their visa, having initially being refused.
The media publicity given to UK immigration policy changes was also found to have influenced perceptions of the UK. The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), which carried out the survey, said that the number of international students coming to the UK’s universities and colleges from some countries had already fallen significantly. It fears that without urgent action the drop will be much larger in 2012.
Dominic Scott, chief executive of UKCISA, said: “Given the UK’s relentless focus on net migration, immigration abuse and student visas, recently played out in the media around the world, it is not surprising that even amongst those who have chosen to come this year there are concerns.”
While 70 per cent of students canvassed found the visa application process quick and efficient (up from 59 per cent in 2009), many made other complaints. One irritation was the fact that the new rules had been implemented in the middle of an admissions cycle, causing confusion for more than half the students, and forcing 10 per cent to take last-minute English language tests or pre-sessional courses.
Around 25% of those required to register with the police found difficulties in doing so, and significant numbers had to travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to submit their biometrics (fingerprints and other forms of unique identification), sometimes several times.
Professor Paul Webley, chair of UKCISA, which is urging the government to rethink the rules and launch a positive publicity campaign, said: “All of the students we surveyed qualified for visas. All of them wanted to come to the UK. Many of them will be the brightest and the best.
“It is essential therefore that we get these [visa] processes right…and promote the message that in this field the UK is very much open for business.”
Meanwhile, the abolition of the Post-Study Work scheme was cited as having the single most negative impact on decisions to choose the UK, with one student saying that 15 of his friends had cancelled their confirmed places as a result.
“This could be an early warning sign of larger reductions next year unless action is taken urgently.” Scott said. “With the announcement by Australia of its new Post-Study Work scheme, it is quite possible that significant numbers will be attracted to go there instead and that the real impact on numbers choosing the UK will only be felt in 2012.”
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