Rishi Sunak is considering a crackdown on foreign students after net migration hit its highest level since World War II.
Downing Street has indicated that plans to reduce the numbers could include putting in place barriers to students bringing their dependents and reducing admissions to “low-quality” degree courses.
This would be in line with proposals being explored by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who has previously complained that foreign students “bring family members who can take their student visas” and are “aiming , frankly, poor courses at inadequate institutions.”
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Critics have warned, however, that universities could go bankrupt and British students could face higher tuition fees as a result.
Professor Brian Bell, chairman of the government’s Migration Advisory Committee, told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “Most universities for most courses lose money teaching British students and make up for that loss by charging international students more.
“If you close the international route, I’m not sure how the university continues to survive.”
While London, Cambridge and Oxford would do well if overseas students were only allowed places at “elite” universities, he said, poorer regions, particularly the north, would suffer.
He pointed out that this is not just an immigration policy but also an education policy, as it could lead to a “massive increase” in fees for British students to make up for the loss of payments for overseas students.
A No 10 spokesman declined to say what a “low quality” grade is when pressed to provide a government definition.
Asked about concerns that the policy would potentially harm universities and the economy, the official said: “Of course we support our universities, they are some of the best in the world, and of course we will always do our best interest of the United Kingdom.”
Net migration to the UK has reached record levels, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). An estimated 504,000 more people came than stayed last year, a figure greater than the population of Liverpool.
The rise was driven by “unique” factors, the ONS said, including visa schemes for Ukrainians and Hong Kong citizens, and more students arriving from outside the European Union after the lifting of COVID restrictions.
Those who arrived on study visas made up the largest proportion of long-term immigration from non-EU nationals, at 277,000, or 39% of the total.
On Thursday, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman insisted that Mr. Sunak was “fully committed” to reducing overall immigration levels and blamed “unique and unprecedented circumstances” for the record high.
The official said: “We are looking at all options to make sure the immigration system works, and that includes looking at the issue of dependent students and low-quality qualifications.”
The move could meet resistance from the Department for Education, which could raise concerns about university funding if the number of high-fee-paying international students is reduced.
Elite university group Russell told the newspaper and that large numbers of overseas students “should be seen as a UK success story” and highlighted official figures showing that those with study visas meet 97.5% to leave when their right to remain expires.
Sky News understands plans for a student visa crackdown have not progressed since the Home Secretary said he would look into it in October, with the Home Office more focused on tackling steps by small boats, or what he calls “illegal immigration.”
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2:12 Braverman struggles with asylum “role play”.
A record 40,000 migrants have crossed the Channel to the UK this year, up from 28,561 last year.
Ms Braverman came under fire this week for failing to explain safe and legal alternative routes into the UK for asylum seekers fleeing war.
During questioning by MPs at the Home Affairs Select Committee, the Home Secretary admitted that “we have failed to control our borders”.
She insisted: “That’s why the Prime Minister and I are absolutely determined to fix this problem.”
The government wants to deport migrants to Rwanda for prosecution to deter people from making the dangerous journey across the Channel, but the plan has been held up by a series of legal challenges.
Under a recent deal with France, the UK’s annual payments to Paris to help police the border will rise to €72m (£63m) in 2022/23, up from €62m €.7m (£54.8m) for 2021/22.