Best time for Indian students to opt for UK, says University of Birmingham chancellor Karan Bilimoria

NEW DELHI: After UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak decided to go back on the plan last week to waive the work-after-study visa for international students; Lord Karan Bilimoria, Chancellor of the University of Birmingham, has advised students from India to go ahead and opt for the UK for higher studies.

“Following strong opposition from many senior members of his cabinet and the Migration Advisory Committee’s (MAC) review report on the graduate visa route to the UK, Prime Minister Sunak has decided to retain the post-study work visa for the time being . Indian students who had put their plans to study in the UK on hold should now pay their university deposits and enroll in courses soon,” Bilimoria told the Times of India. He added that doubts about the graduate pathway for international students had impacted the UK’s attractiveness as a study destination for Indian students earlier this year.

The Graduate Track allows international graduates to stay in the UK for two years after their studies (three years for a PhD) to gain work experience.

“Strict new rules on international students not being able to bring their family members to the UK, as well as the sudden increase in the minimum wage requirement for work visas have contributed to the decline in the number of Indian students choosing the UK for higher education. But now the decision to remain unchanged on the graduate route will have a positive effect and the number of Indian students going to the UK this September is very likely to increase,” Bilimoria said.

Indian students enrolling on courses in the UK later this year have no reason to worry about the graduate route, Bilimoria believes, because despite the hostile approach to immigration led by the right-wing Tory government, the Prime Minister the British decided to listen to MAC’s advice and not give up the post-study visa. “The post-study work visa was started by the Labor government; but later scrapped by conservatives. If the Labor Party wins the next UK election, which is very likely, it will certainly keep it. I am happy that the number of Indian students in the UK is sure to increase as we have the best education in the world on offer,” Bilimoria added.

International students pay far higher fees and subsidize UK domestic students, and experts believe a large drop in international student numbers will hit the UK economy hard. “Many UK university vice-chancellors are actually concerned about the decline in international student numbers and their finances. Without international students, many postgraduate courses will have to be closed,” Bilimoria felt.