Universities UK concerned over immigration laws

Universities UK has issued a response to the Home Office’s planned method of rolling out the new immigration legislation, which will make it harder for non-European Economic Area students to gain access to the UK. Chief Executive Diana Warwick took the opportunity to air concerns that implementing such a huge change could leave UK universities at a disadvantage to their foreign rivals.

This all comes at a time when the feel-good factor from Barack Obama’s election, coupled with tough post-9/11 US immigration restrictions being lifted, is making the States an increasingly enticing proposition for foreign students. The worry is that an influx to the US would dent the estimated £2.5bn that foreign students contribute to the economy in fees alone.

In a statement, Warwick said: “We welcome the publication of the implementation plan for the new student immigration route. Universities have been keen to receive further information on the new system to enable them to inform staff and students about the new arrangements.

“However, we remain very concerned about the IT system that will support the new arrangements. Sufficient time needs to be allowed to enable universities to provide input to the IT specification and for testing to take place, both in the UK and overseas. Students have a short period of time in which to make their visa applications and if the IT system does not work during this window, students will miss the start of their programmes and may decide not to come to the UK.”