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

5.1.6 Visa issues 
The issue of study visas and restrictions was reported by some alumni in relation to post-
study employment opportunities (or their perceptions of recent restrictions on this), but 
also by a few positively in the sense that they had appreciated the permission to conduct 
subsistence work during their time in the UK. 
The politically sensitive issue of current visa regulations, especially recent changes, was 
quite deliberately not raised by us within the interviews, in order to assess how many 
alumni would raise it themselves without any prompting, which might provide some 
indication of the extent of international views of the UK situation. Thirteen interviewees, 
almost all from Commonwealth countries (particularly India), mentioned that they had 
heard about recent ‘tightening’ of UK study visa regulations, essentially that they perceived 
that these now prevented post-study employment. They saw employment as important 
either in the sense of gaining post-study work experience that could enhance the potential 
career benefit of their study, or necessary to raise income to offset their fee and cost 
outlay. They felt that the policy changes, as they understood them, and perceived lack of 
employment opportunities were regrettable, and that this would ‘harm’ the UK. Several 
indicated that they would no longer recommend the UK a provider of international HE for 
this single reason. 
A handful of this group of interviewees felt sufficiently strongly about the issue that they 
stated overtly that part of their rationale for participating in an interview was so that they 
could air their view on this, and they hoped that it would be reported in the project: 

I5 
(Pakistan): 
“I just hope that by being a part of this interview, and, you know, giving a 
positive feedback, a positive outlook, and sharing my own view, I hope that the fact that 
they are there [Government reading the research… because] they’re not letting people 
come, they’re restricting visas for students and all.”

I45 
(China): 
“I have to say that I’m a bit disappointed with the way things are going with 
barring students from staying on to work. I believe the post-study work visa now is 
cancelled. [Working is] a good way of keeping the skill that you’ve learned, I think it’s a 
premium education. By me staying on and working, I am not entitled to any benefit, so 
to me keeping foreign students in the UK is not a bad thing if you’re high value.”

I53 
(Nigeria): 
“The work experience here was paramount because you have to have 
money to leave and come and study here… If I haven’t had this experience of working 
here apart from this [studying] abroad, the actual experience that I need back in my 
place will not be there… together you’ve got the knowledge to take that back and make 
a difference. Let me make it very clear, the reason I said I don’t recommend people to 
come now is because of the [visa] scheme. I have a friend that wanted to do it. I said, 
‘Right now, no’.”
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The Wider Benefits of International Higher Education in the UK 
The extent to which changes to visa restrictions, or perceptions of them, (which potentially 
hinder the attractiveness of UK HE to international applicants) were raised by alumni was 
lower than had been feared, given the high profile of the issue in some international press. 
However, the proportion amongst certain key target nationalities was higher, particularly 
Indian interviewees, and multiplier effects could well increase the impact of negative 
perceptions. It is unclear whether this relates to particular desire amongst more of this 
group to undertake post-study work. However, whether the perceptions held are accurate 
in relation to the actual regulations is also somewhat unimportant, as it will be the more 
emotive perceptions that are publicised and communicated widely, rather than any 
potential ‘correcting’ information that might be issued by the UK in response.
The recent Hobsons survey (Matthews, 2013) reported that most international applicants 
had chosen the UK as a study destination because of the international recognition of 
qualifications, perceived safe environment and enhanced job prospects on return home. 
The ability to work while studying was ranked as more important than improved job 
prospects in the UK, a finding that may provide some comfort to the sector after the Tier 1 
route was closed and applications procedures changed. More recent changes may have 
helped by lowering the salary threshold required for post-study work.