UPDATE: The questionnaire deadline has been extended and will now close on Wednesday 19 June at 11.00pm.
UKCISA is gathering evidence to inform our work on the perceived impact the recent uncertainty of the Graduate route will have on current and recent international students.
In December 2023, the Home Secretary announced a review of the Graduate route. This was to explore whether it was meeting its objectives of "attracting and retaining the best and brightest students to the UK and supporting excellence in UK higher education". This rapid review was commissioned on 11 March.
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) conducted their rapid review through a mixture of roundtables and sector data, with findings published 14 May 2024. The main message was “the Graduate route should be retained in full, finding no evidence of widespread abuse”. Government followed recommendations in their announcement on 23 May 2024. They also announced a review on the Student route maintenance requirements, and continued concern over the Graduate route "not attracting the highest earners". Any changes announced to immigration requirements will not come into effect until they are in law.
Despite the positive findings in the MAC report, there has been great uncertainty for prospective and current students over the future of the Graduate route, and continued concern from Government over the route. We wish to understand the extent of this uncertainty, fully aware that alongside general rhetoric on migration, it has impacted recent university recruitment and student sentiment towards the UK.
If you are a current or recent international student studying in the UK, we would like to hear your thoughts on how the recent review will affect your future experience in the UK. Once you have filled out the questionnaire yourself, please share it with others who may wish to contribute to this work.
Complete the questionnaire
The questionnaire will close on Wednesday 19 June at 11.00pm.
