Claims that changes to the student visa rules would mean that future foreign leaders would no longer study in Britain were denied today by Migration Watch UK.
The House of Commons Library have produced a list, quoted in a Home Affairs Committee report, of 47 Heads of State and notable individuals who have studied in the United Kingdom Migration Watch UK research shows that 44 of the 47 were at Russell group institutions, other UK Universities or at The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Of the remaining three, two were educated at a young age in this country and one attended a co-operative college.
According to Universities UK, “The changes the government have made will have little or no consequence for overseas students.” Applications at the University level, therefore, should not be significantly affected.
Commenting, Sir Andrew Green, Chairman of Migration Watch UK, said: “This dispels the myth peddled by the Higher Education lobby that tightening the visa conditions for students from overseas will discourage potential world leaders from studying in the UK. We can safely assume that they are well aware of the value of a qualification from a leading British university”