It comes after UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said the Immigration Advisory Committee had been instructed to begin a review of graduate visas.
Postgraduate pathways have not been eliminated, but there are concerns the government could do so in the face of pressure to reduce some of the UK's net migration.
The review is part of a package of measures that include a ban on graduate students' dependents entering the UK, an immigration health surcharge and increased wage standards for skilled workers, with the government saying “robust action” is needed to reduce “opportunities for abuse”. . .
PIE acknowledges that governments must ensure that postgraduate pathways work well for the benefit of international students. However, the publication believes Westminster must reassure international students and prospective students that their visas will not be revoked.
UK citizens or UK residents can sign the petition here.
Following Cleverly's announcement, UUK Chief Executive Vivienne Stern said: “No one wants to abuse the system… But it is now important to put to rest suggestions that this visa will be scrapped. It reassures prospective international students that the UK remains an attractive destination.”
When the Graduate Route was announced in 2019, the sector strongly welcomed the visa with stakeholders saying it would make the UK “a more attractive place to study”.
“Finally. Godot has finally arrived,” HEPI Director Nick Hillman said at the time.
Stakeholders suggest that removing the route could benefit the UK's competitive market.
The benefits of the graduate route for individual students are difficult to measure, but listen to what they have to say.
“My graduate studies allowed me to apply and be accepted to my dream opportunities,” said one graduate. royal holloway You are currently following the path, Jayden Bookout writes for The PIE this week.
“In my role I provide invaluable support to people sleeping rough and help coordinate accommodation. This is only possible with a post-study visa.”
PIE has previously reported on recommendations it believes will improve opportunities for the sector. Around 24% of students said they felt their expectations for this route had not been met, while just 3% of UK employers were using this route at the end of 2022.
Among the recommendations reported by PIE, there is no mention of eliminating or shortening the length of the graduate pathway.
UK citizens or UK residents can sign the petition here.
We urge the Immigration Advisory Committee and the wider sector to read the APPG’s report for international students thoroughly. One of them is that the government “must publicly commit to maintaining graduate visas until the next parliament”.
“We want to confirm that the government is committed to graduate visas”
The new petition says: “We want the government to confirm that it is committed to graduate visas and that there is no risk of them being cancelled.
“This route gives international students, who pay a premium at UK universities, the opportunity to gain work experience, connections to UK workplaces and reduce the cost of their studies.
“It helps UK higher education remain competitive in the global marketplace. Without this, we believe many universities that rely on international fees risk running into deficits.”
For employers, this route provides access to talented graduates. In total, international students add around £41.9 billion to the UK economy every year.
UK citizens or UK residents can sign the petition here.
This is my first time as an independent news provider, trying to publish articles that are as balanced and nuanced as possible. pie news We started our own campaign. We did so because we felt this was of interest not only to the field but, most importantly, to the international students themselves.
Read more: UK sector prepares graduate visa to protect post-study employment
Could the UK Grad Route be abolished?
UK international educators sector reacts to review of graduate visa announcement
“Simply tracking income doesn’t tell us the impact of graduate school pathways.”
If you would like to further support the campaign, please write to us (via editorial@thepienews.com). Please consider sharing the petition on social media.