The plans seek to limit the number of people entering the country legally and claiming asylum (Image: Getty)
Universities could be banned from accepting foreign students under new plans, unless they take action to stop education being used as an asylum back door. The government could begin to penalise universities if fewer than 95% of students accepted onto a course commence their studies, or if fewer than 90% see the course through to its conclusion.
The plans come as Home Secretary Yvette Cooper seeks to limit the number of people using study visas to gain access to the country before claiming asylum. Last year, as many as 10,000 asylum seekers living in public-funded accommodation, such as hotels, had entered the country through a student visa. Additionally, 40,000 people who entered the UK legally on visas subsequently claimed asylum, equating to 37% of total applications.
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Foreign students account for a quarter of universities income (Image: Getty)
Under the proposals, the worst-performing universities will be named and shamed and could even be stripped of their ability to accept applications from foreign students.
Foreign students have become increasingly vital to university revenue streams in recent years, accounting for a quarter of total income in 2023-24, contributing ￡12.1 billion.
Other measures being considered are sanctions on countries whose citizens abuse the immigration system the most, with Pakistan, Nigeria and Sri Lanka reportedly being identified.
The government could look to cut the amount of visas issued to citizens of the worst offending countries or withdraw visa-free travel completely.
Dame Angela Eagle, the border security minister, told the Times: “The evidence is clear: targeted visa restrictions work. They protect our borders, reduce pressure on our asylum system, and ensure the immigration system also serves Britain’s interests.
“The UK will always welcome genuine visitors, workers and students, but we will not tolerate this kind of systematic abuse. The rules must be respected and enforced, and we will not hesitate to impose even tighter visa controls where necessary.”
Up to 10,000 people who came to the country legally were being housed at public expense last year (Image: Getty)
The plans have been criticised as being too soft to have any tangible impact on Britain’s high levels of immigration.
Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: “These proposals amount to minor tinkering around the edges and will make little real difference, which is typical of announcements by this government.
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“Far too many foreign students are using the pretext of study as a route into the UK. Some courses are extremely low quality and have students who barely speak any English.
“A number of universities are essentially selling UK visas rather than selling an education. This abuse needs to be shut down. The last Conservative government rightly ended the farce of students being able to bring family in with them but a lot more real action is now needed.
“No one who says they are coming here as a student should be able to later claim asylum or use a student visa as a basis to be able to stay permanently.”
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