With the Home Office prohibiting research study visas for Afghanistan, Sudan, Myanmar and Cameroon, including for Chevening scholars, from March 26, experts caution the relocation may be simply the start of tightening up immigration policies.
“This looks like a somewhat approximate intervention, consisting of in relation to Chevening scholars who are not going to be consisted of for exemption. There were clear signs at journalism conference that this may just be the start, which other nations might be included,” said Sally Mapstone, principal and vice-chancellor of the University of St Andrews, attending to the audience at The PIE Live Europe 2026.
“The truth that there was little to no caution, and that it seems an arbitrary decision, is actually worrying.”
Previously this month, home secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the brand-new policy, with the choice supposedly coming from a boost in asylum claims from people who first entered the UK lawfully on visas.
According to UK federal government data, around 133,670 people have actually claimed asylum after arriving by means of legal routes since 2021, with applications from trainees from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Myanmar and Sudan increasing by over 470% between 2021 and 2025– prompting the policy to resolve what the government declares is “extensive abuse of the visa system”.
While Mapstone acknowledged that some organizations may necessitate scrutiny due to “really high” varieties of asylum-seeking students, she noted it is not “uncommon” for global students to declare asylum due to a variety of factors.
“I understand from my own experience that it is not unusual for students from these nations, while at an institution, to experience a change in their identity or circumstances that makes it completely legitimate for them to seek asylum,” specified Mapstone.
And although it develops chances for organisations like Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA) and Mosaik Education to support students, this can not be thought about a long-term solution.
“There is now a real extra effort to look at methods which a number of institutions can work in-country to offer online or in-country provision to assist prospective scholars. But that is a supplement instead of a replacement,” she added.
We will find that universities because of the way the Home Office has carried out BCA, are treating different countries in various methods and that is irritating
Nick Hillman, HEPI
Just this week, students from Sudan and Afghanistan launched legal action to reverse the restriction, which they described as “illegal, unreasonable, an infraction of human rights laws and a misdirection of law”. Legal representatives state dozens more from the four banned countries have actually come forward to sign up with the legal obstacle.
While Nick Hillman, director of the College Policy Institute (HEPI), UK, is seeing legal relocations against the policy getting momentum, he also warned of its broader effect on universities currently navigating tighter guidelines under the Home Office’s Fundamental Compliance Assessment (BCA).
“One consequence of the brand-new BCA, which introduces much tougher guidelines, is that universities will be going through the list nation by nation, asking which countries their students are coming from and whether they are lower down the numbers than others,” stated Hillman.
“We will find that universities since of the way the Office has carried out BCA, are dealing with different countries in different ways and that is worrying.”
The Office recently flowed draft guidance on the red-amber-green (RAG) system for BCAs, where a sponsor’s lowest-rated metric identifies their overall score, and failure to satisfy any core requirement results in a red rating and CAS decrease.
“There are real concerns around the RAG system– you can have an amber rating while still being certified, and a red rating could result in losing a licence for a considerable period, with serious knock-on effects for that institution,” stated Mapstone.
“With BCAs being introduced in June 2026, there’s issue they could be applied retroactively to institutions that were compliant under previous guidelines.”
As the UK sector browses policy modifications, including the graduate path being cut from two years to 18 months from January 2027, Lord Ed Vaizey, chair of the UK-ASEAN Company Council, stated government trade envoys can help universities protect broader interests and maintain the UK’s standing with international students.
“You’re not paid as a trade envoy, the costs are very little given that you usually stay with the ambassador. It assists the UK open doors, and ambassadors generally welcome it since it enables them to set up conferences with essential ministers and advance the UK’s program,” stated Vaizey.
“It’s a great plan, particularly for this sector. I would motivate any universities or colleges with interests abroad, or seeking to broaden globally, to contact their trade envoy directly, they’re really available and keen to hear from you.”
While the UK’s international education method aims to grow education exports to ₤ 40 billion by 2030, Vaizey also sees possible in the federal government’s “soft power council”, though its impact will require careful navigation amidst existing belief on immigration.
“Every international student who studies in the UK or at a British school abroad generally establishes a love for Britain, which pays dividends over time,” stated Vaizey.
“Immigration is a vexed issue, and attempting to reconcile the financial and soft power advantages of global students with public concerns about reasonable levels of immigration is challenging. The secret is not to lose sight of the massive opportunity our universities have to welcome international trainees.”
Calling Brexit a “monumentally stupid choice”, Vaizey said he completely backs Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s efforts to rebalance Britain’s relationship with Europe, with the UK rejoining Erasmus in 2027 and leveraging chances as new education centers emerge.
“I do go to Saudi Arabia a lot, Southeast Asia, and China, and it’s clear that those countries concern college as a necessary element of their economic development. Britain still has a front-row seat in dealing with those nations,” mentioned Vaizey.
“Universities need a clear roadmap and strong government support to broaden abroad. We can not rest on our laurels, other nations acknowledge these opportunities, and competitors is growing from the United States and Australia in Southeast Asia.”
While the global education strategy aims to grow global education, specialists alerted that rapid growth brings threats with deep partnerships, exit strategies, and mindful management being necessary.
“TNE uses huge chances for students, universities, and nations, however it likewise brings risks. Development has actually been fast over the past couple of years, and need reveals no indications of slowing,” specified Josh Fleming, director of research and method, Office for Students (OfS), UK.
“TNE is not a quick win, it requires deep collaborations, clear exit methods for trainees, and cautious governance, specifically when institutions must engage with partners throughout borders.”
Highlighting that TNE is a fantastic yet “relatively hard thing to do”, Hillman noted that the existing method still needs more attention to totally reflect the variety of student choices.
“What frets me is that the method seems to presume one group of trainees: if they don’t come here, they’ll instantly get a British degree in their home nation. In reality, they might go to Sydney, Toronto, New York, or Queensland instead,” he added.
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