Education
UK Reportedly Considering Deportation of International Students Due to Academic Performance

The United Kingdom (UK) is considering deporting international students who fail to meet specified academic standards, according to reports from The Telegraph. Home Secretary James Cleverly has urged the UK Migration Advisory Committee to evaluate the graduate visa system as part of a strategy aimed at reducing net migration by 300,000 from its historically high levels.
The report highlights that the UK has granted two-year visas to more than 98,000 international students to stay in the country post-graduation, marking a significant year-on-year increase of 42,000, equivalent to 74 percent.
There are concerns that this visa is being used as a gateway for individuals to seek low-skilled employment or simply remain in the UK without engaging in any employment due to the absence of a job requirement.
Professor Brian Bell, the committee’s chairperson, emphasized the absence of a specific grade or achievement requirement for students to graduate. He indicated a need to review whether setting certain academic standards or achievement benchmarks for the graduate route is practical.
The committee aims to explore potential restrictions, including the possibility of permitting foreign students to remain in the UK based on attendance at specific universities or completion of designated courses. Furthermore, limitations on certain job categories or activities are also under consideration.
Currently, there are no constraints on students’ activities during their two-year stay. Professor Bell highlighted the scenario where individuals, if financially capable, could choose not to engage in any activities in the UK or opt for jobs ranging from minimum wage roles to highly paid positions.
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick have echoed concerns about the graduate visa, calling for its overhaul or elimination due to worries about its contribution to immigration rates and potential misuse.
Jenrick previously stated, “The graduate route requires comprehensive reform. Numerous universities have shifted their focus from education to migration, promoting short, low-grade courses as a means to settle in the UK.”
This represents the ongoing debate surrounding the graduate visa system and its perceived impact on immigration and academic standards within the UK.