The UK government has been discouraging the inflow of international students through different policy restrictions. HELI (Higher Education Policy Institute) and Kaplan International Pathways published the latest reports calling out the restricting post-study work policy of the government.
The reports commissioned by London Economics show the tax contributions of international graduates from the UK who stay in the country to work. The reports from the study found that these graduates pay around £3.2bn in the form of taxes during 10 years of employment in the country. Breaking down this tax revenue shows:
- Income tax contributions at
- employees’ National Insurance Contributions at
- employers’ National Insurance Contributions at
- extra VAT payments contributions at
The contributions of £3.2bn are from a one-year cohort of graduates. The graduates coming from EU countries contribute £1.2bn, while graduates from other countries together contribute £2.0bn. If these results are not convincing enough; The reports show another important result in favour of international students.
The report concludes that international students who stay in the UK for jobs do not harm the opportunities of domestic graduates of the UK. The foreign students rather find employment in sectors suffering from skill shortages. They are helping the nation to tackle the problem of skill shortage without causing a shortage of employment for national graduates.
This study comes a few days after the UK government announced some minor relaxations in post-study work policy. The relaxations came under a strategy to improve the inflow of overseas students after the Brexit turmoil. But they are still not satisfying and universities are asking for better actions. This report has strengthened its demands.
Gordon Marsden, minister for higher and further education, keeps the view that government’s restrictive attitude can harm the education system and universities. He warns that with current restrictions, universities will lose to global competition.
Nick Hillman, the director of HEPI, exclaims that Universities are agitated with government restrictions on Post-work policy. He added that the UK government has maintained these hostile conditions for a decade on the pretext that international workers do not bring any benefit.
The new reports have removed their excuses by giving proper proof about the huge contributions these workers can make. This new report will give a new voice to the universities for demanding major reforms in policies.
Linda Cowan of Kaplan International Pathways has similar views about the future. She believes that a change in policies is mandatory to keep the UK in competition with the global world. All the restrictions are holding back the universities from working at full potential.
Matthew Percival, the Confederation of British Industry’s head of employment policy, stands in support of report and thanked HEPI for giving solid proofs against the harmful visa and post-study work policies of the country.
The reports have just proved what every university was saying all along. It will be an important reform if the UK government decides to react in favour of the suggestions included in the report.
If you are an international student then you are eligible to apply for multiple scholarships in the UK.
Tony Shaw– International Student House (ISH) Scholarships in the UK
Tony Shaw-ISH Scholarships program at the University of Westminster is open. To be eligible, applicants must be an international student who wishes to study a postgraduate degree program within the Westminster Business School.
Award: Full tuition fee award, accommodation, living expenses and flights
Application Deadline: May 31, 2019
Apply
Now
Enterprise and Innovation Scholarships for UK and EU Students
The Newcastle University Business School is accepting applications for the Enterprise and Innovation program. The call is open for high achievement applicants from the UK and EU.
Award: Tuition fee worth
£3,000
Application Deadline: July 31, 2019
Apply
Now
Edinburgh Surgery Online Global Scholarships
The University of Edinburgh is inviting applicants to be a part of an Edinburgh Surgery Online Global Scholarships. The awards are open for the citizens of low-income economies who want to pursue an online master’s degree course in the UK.
Award: Full cost of the tuition fee for this course
Application Deadline: June 1, 2019
Apply Now
UCL Undergraduate Bursary for UK/EU Students
The University College London is offering an opportunity to take part in the Undergraduate Bursary program. The scholarship is open to UK and EU applicants who belong to low-income families and wants to complete their undergraduate studies in the UK.
Award: £2,500, £1,500, £1,000, and £500 according to candidate’s household
income.
Application Deadline: July 5, 2019
Apply
Now
PhD Fee Waiver Scholarship for International Students at the University of Lincoln, UK
Applications are open for the PhD Fee Waiver Scholarship. Funded by the School of Engineering at the University of Lincoln, the awards are open for the UK, EU, and Overseas students.
Award: Cover tuition fees for the PhD
Application Deadline: June 9, 2019
Apply
Now
Sussex Excellence funding for International Students in the UK, 2019
The University of Sussex is accepting applications for the Excellence Scholarship. The program is open to provide financial support for high achievement aspirants of any nationality who are ready to pursue an undergraduate course.
Award: £2,000
Application Deadline: September 1,
2019
Apply
Now
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