International STEM students

An ‘unwelcoming’ UK has led to an unprecedented fall in international Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) student numbers, according to a United Kingdom House of Lords Science and Technology Committee report published in April 2014.

The Lords inquiry looked specifically at the numbers of international students in STEM subjects, and whether the UK’s immigration policy has had any impact.

The Lords report, entitled International Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students, calls on the Government to rethink their immigration policy, which it calls contradictory.

The UK Government was simultaneously committed to reducing net migration and attracting increasing numbers of international students (15–20% over the next five years). This contradiction could be resolved if the Government removed students, who comprise a majority of non-EU immigrants, from the net migration figures.

The Lords were concerned by the fact that international STEM student enrolments have fallen by more than 10% in the last two years.

International students made a huge contribution to the academic, intellectual and cultural vibrancy of UK universities, also enriching the experience for domestic students. International students also contributed very significantly to university finances, often partly subsidising courses for domestic students. Some courses, particularly taught Masters, were made viable by international student enrolments, and a fall in international student numbers posed a real threat. In terms of the labour market, UK Plc was missing out on highly skilled workers.

The Lords report called for a simpler UK immigration policy.

United Kingdom: House of Lords: Science and Technology Committee: News, 11.04.14: Lords Committee urge Government to rethink immigration policy on international STEM students http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/science-and-technology-committee/news/international-stem-student-report/

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