Bis research paper number 128 The wider benefits of international higher education in the uk

4.2.5.2 Implications 
Based on the interviews conducted, the majority of alumni working in the UK after their HE 
experience do intend at some point to return to their original home countries. They have 
tried to make the most of opportunities to work here in order to maximise the value of their 
investment – combining study and international work experience – as well as raising funds 
to offset the costs. Many work in key industries such as engineering and IT where the UK 
has a shortfall of skilled labour. As skilled migrants, they are significant contributors to the 
UK economy. 
A constraining factor in the cohort sampled was that the majority graduated in 2007 or 
2008 during the economic crisis and as the UK was entering recession. Several alumni 
interviewed had been extremely keen to try to remain in the UK to work, to consolidate 
their learning experiences, but as they found little on offer they opted to return home where 
they considered that there might be more opportunities. The extent of ‘skilled migration’ 
evident within the sample was perhaps therefore lower than might be the case in more 
positive UK economic circumstances. 
Viewed broadly though, there was clear evidence of an increasingly mobile global labour 
market, with skilled workers returning to their original and other countries after HE study 
and work experience, while some others who returned home immediately after UK HE 
were expecting in the future to come back to the UK for other work opportunities. Very few 
seemed to anticipate staying in the UK permanently, with the exception of those who had 
married UK residents or had similar very strong personal ties. 
There is an established literature on skilled migration and labour market movements, and 
current active debate on net migration and international students. Given that level of 
knowledge and debate, there is little value to be added by rehearsing it here. Broadly there 
is evidence suggests that around 15% of international students stay in the UK in the long 
term, and our evidence seemed to support this or indicate that fewer will stay permanently.
There is also very active discussion in the HE sector about the extent to which immigration 
rules are perceived to deter international students from working in the UK post-study, and 
how that may potentially decrease the UK’s attractiveness as a host country. The UK 
currently needs talented international alumni within the labour force to support its growing 
knowledge-based economy. In academia, as just one such sector, high proportions of 
researchers and teaching staff in areas such as STEM disciplines are required from 
overseas in order to sustain HE quality and delivery, as the supply of such skilled people 
within the UK is no longer sufficient. Recent government announcements reflect these 
needs for skilled labour, indicating that international alumni earning a reasonable salary – 
which presumably indicates areas of skills shortage – will be permitted to stay and work 
after their HE study.
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The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education in the UK