Exclusive: Crackdown on foreign student visas may cost region’s universities £15m

Higher education bosses are warning that measures designed to crack down on bogus colleges getting people into the country will actually harm the region’s universities and stop genuine candidates from studying here.

Leading academics in Yorkshire say a tough English language test being proposed as part of Home Office drive to bring down “unchecked migration” will prevent many students from sitting foundation years and English language courses at university.

These courses provide routes for international students to improve their language skills and go on to study for a full-time degree.

Figures from just four of the region’s universities show income from these overseas students who come to the country to study courses below degree level is worth around £15m in fees.

Huddersfield University’s Prof David Taylor, dean of international development said: “The impact of this cannot be overstated. It’s easy to forget that most universities offer non-degree preparation courses themselves, to ensure strong entry standards. The English language requirement in the new visa proposals is higher than we currently have and would harm both the International Foundation Year courses and the English language courses we offer.“

Higher education bosses in the region have also questioned the Government’s claim that students staying after their course is completed is a problem and they warn that the new plans will lead to students going to universities at key competitors such as United States and Australia instead of the UK.

The Government insists universities have “nothing to fear”.