Foreign students ‘provide £176m economic boost’

Sheffield University and city MP Paul Blomfield announced the findings last night as they warned against deterring foreign students from coming to the UK through tighter new visa controls.

The new research found that international students were responsible for pumping £120m into the city in a year and £176m into the wider economy.

It is the first study to assess both the financial contribution and costs of having international students.

The report, which was launched last night at the Houses of Parliament, is part of Sheffield University’s call for the value of international students to be recognised.

Vice Chancellor Professor Sir Keith Burnett said: “Here at Sheffield, we’re proud of the extensive contribution our international students make to both the university and the city, boosting the city’s economy by a net figure of £120m, something that will be reflected in other towns and cities nationally.

“I’d like to thank our international students for this important contribution and to show the world how much we value it.

“Both the university and our students believe the impact of this research and its nationwide implications can influence changes in policy to make sure the UK doesn’t unwittingly deter people of the talent of international students who have a great contribution to make and are such a vital part of the success of British universities.”

Net migration figures fell last year with officials saying that was in large part because of a drop in foreign students.

Since last year, all institutions that want to sponsor non-European Union students for a visa must be accredited as “highly trusted”.

Potential entrants have to speak a higher standard of English and the “post-study work route” to staying on has been closed, unless graduates have an offer of one of a list of skilled jobs.

Mr Blomfield, Labour MP for Sheffield Central, who hosted the launch of the research with Nadhim Zahawi, the Conservative MP for Stratford-upon-Avon, said: “This report provides the most rigorous analysis of the economic benefits to date, and shows just how much is at stake.

“In university towns and cities across the UK, tens of thousands of jobs depend on international students. And the benefits could be even greater if we win our share of the growing international market for higher education.

“We need to send a clear message that international students are welcome in the UK. But that needs more than words. If we are to be seen as serious, we need a change in policy.

“Students should be taken out of the net migration targets; the post-study work visa rules need revisiting, and a new, more collaborative relationship needs to be developed between UK Border Agency and the higher education sector.”

Findings based on careers service data from Sheffield University estimated that around 8.9 per cent of international students take up jobs in the Yorkshire and the Humber region in any given year, with a further 10.7 per cent employed in the rest of the UK. That equates to 453 graduates per year entering the regional labour force.

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