'International students keep universities running'

Higher education institutions would not be able to run without international students, a senior figure at Reading University has said.

International pro-vice chancellor Caroline Baylon said the current funding model of universities in the UK relied on students from overseas.

Home Office statistics show 14% a drop in student visa applications in the 2023/24 year compared to the previous 12 months.

The Department of Education said the government had taken "tough decisions to bolster universities' financial sustainability" but immigration also needed to be reduced.

There is no cap on charges for students from overseas so fees can be much higher and they have become a vital income stream.

But student visa rules were tightened by the last Conservative government to try to reduce immigration and that led to a fall in applications last summer.

"We wouldn't be able to run on just the funding that we receive from the government and UK tuition fees," Ms Baylon said.

"We wouldn't be top 200 if we couldn't attract top talent from around the world.

"University of Reading is still a British university - 80% of our students are from the UK but having that mixing of culture on campus brings such a different experience."

She explained international students positively impacted Berkshire's local economy.

"We would lose greatly if we didn't have that post cultural investment but also financial investment," she said.

Ms Baylon said that the university worked with agents and had offices and colleagues working to encourage international students to come to the UK through bursaries and scholarships.

"The vast majority [of students] go back after two years of graduating," she said.

"As the years go, more and more go back home and those who stay are usually in full time employment."

According to Universities UK, nationally nearly two-fifths return home immediately after graduating.

A Universities UK spokesperson said: "The UK is a top destination for international students, and this reflects the strength of our sector and its global reputation for excellence.

"International students bring enormous economic, social and cultural contributions to the UK, and enhance our influence around the world."

Ms Baylon said: "Our [international] students, once they finish studying with us most of them return back home and become great allies to the UK and for our institution."

The Home Office said: "We have been clear that international students will always be welcome."

But a spokesperson added that net migration levels in recent years had been "unacceptable" and they want to "restore order to our broken immigration system".

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