Statement regarding recent coverage on the student and academic visa/immigration campaign

Paul Marshall, Chief Executive of ABS says:

"1 in 3 International students in the UK are studying business studies or related qualifications.  Any disruption in this market will thus impact hugely and disproportionately upon Business and Management education. 

Universities are at their best when they fully embrace their global role. Britain must not be seen as shutting itself off towards the rest of the world, adopting a hostile attitude towards foreign students.  A positive story must be continually repeated about the quality, strength and diversity of the UK HE system – this must be a story shared equally, and without a sliver of daylight in between, by individual institutions and the government and its representatives overseas. 

If we want to continue eating a disproportionately large slice of the cake, we need to carefully consider existing practice and any future policies we make. We need to ensure that the UK stays an attractive alternative in the increasingly global market of higher education. We need to invest in our universities, and we need to communicate to our international partners that we welcome international students, and that they shape an important part of the future of Britain".