International Students and Academics

Higher education in the UK benefits greatly from international students and academics, but has become dependent on them in some areas, and this is particularly evident in certain STEM subjects. Accurate monitoring of in- and out-flow is important, for instance, there seems to be an outflow of academics at senior and professorial levels that should be understood. A major concern to universities at the moment is the introduction of the new points based visa system. While there are many positives to this new system, it is not clear that it will be able to accommodate academics and particularly visiting academics.

Catherine Marston has been at Universities UK for eight years working on a range of policy issues. She currently has responsibility for international, community cohesion and sustainable development policy areas.