Although the government must now respond to the findings, the review is a success for universities and international students studying in the UK.
It's too early to celebrate, but on Tuesday May 14, social media was flooded with posts responding to the MAC review findings.
In case you missed the news or were overwhelmed by the volume, here's how key industry stakeholders heard it.
🗣️ CEO Dr. Tim Bradshaw:
“MAC’s message is that the graduate pathway is achieving its goals. “We urge ministers to end the uncertainty and confirm as soon as possible that the route will continue.”
Find out more at https://t.co/50wwb1IF86. pic.twitter.com/Ffx8ixzlls
— Russell Group (@RussellGroup) May 14, 2024
A very clear (and very welcome) recommendation from MAC.
Leave it to you, government… pic.twitter.com/pBvcE6zhY1
— Harry Anderson (@harrycanderson) May 14, 2024
NCUK welcomes the recommendation from the Immigration Advisory Committee (MAC) to maintain the UK postgraduate route in its current form. This route is invaluable for international students, allowing them to gain valuable work experience in the UK after their studies. https://t.co/zLpKp8j9iM
– NCUK (@NCUKTogether) May 14, 2024
surprisingly @JamesCleverly @Home Office The MAC commissioning letter contained major errors. According to MAC President Brian Bell, more than half of the international graduates went on to careers in the medical field. Actually it is 20%. pic.twitter.com/3pRwRv8rDv
— Peter Foster (@pmdfoster) May 14, 2024
UKIBC welcomes the outcome of the MAC review of the graduate visa route and urges the Government to accept the recommendations. See UKIBC CEO Richard McCallum's full statement here: https://t.co/9yvrDGCMMf
— UK India Business Council (@UKIBC) May 14, 2024
A key lesson from the MAC review is that there is a huge difference between data collected hastily to prove a political point and data collected to conduct objective analysis. https://t.co/OAW9zx1omo
— Anthony Painter (@anthonypainter) May 14, 2024
💬 “We welcome the decision by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) that the graduate route will remain in its current form.”
— Vivien Stern (@vivienstern) May 14, 2024
'In fact, international students are the 'quiet engine' of leveling up.' 🚗
Today the MAC recommended retaining the graduate pathway in its current form. @UUKIntl @arrowzmith And John Foster (@CBItweets) Please explain why this is so important ⤵️https://t.co/thenVqNqfN
— British International University (@UUKIntl) May 14, 2024Read UKCISA's full statement on the findings of the Immigration Advisory Committee's (MAC) Postgraduate Pathways review on our website 👇… pic.twitter.com/sJycm4oqOR
— UK Council for International Student Affairs (@UKCISA) May 14, 2024
hello boss @nickhillman MAC Review: “It cannot be repeated too often that the overwhelming majority of international students come to the UK, spend a lot of money and return home with a warm opinion of the country. What’s not to like about that?” https://t.co/uxdwr58gjk
— Chris Parr (@ChrisJParr) May 14, 2024
— Justine Greening (@JustineGreening) May 14, 2024
There are a number of somewhat selective quotes about MAC. In fact, it was found that after 12 months, the earnings of Grad Route visa holders were broadly similar to domestic graduates. Median income in first year is £21K, significantly higher than original estimate https://t.co/NePWf0GEkT
Somewhere in Whitehall: pic.twitter.com/W0SCtS4jVM
— Nick Hillman (@nickhillman) May 14, 2024
Read more about our MAC review. MAC Chairperson advocates review on findings, industry response and UK radio.