UK will remain attractive for Indian students despite immigration changes: University of Birmingham

Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham

Despite several changes introduced by the UK Government, Adam Tickell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham said the UK will remain an appealing destination for students due to its favourable post-study work visa policies.

In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, he said it wouldn't be surprising if there are further adjustments in the future. “The government is dedicated to the International Education Strategy, aiming to attract more international students to the UK,” Tickell said.

The university’s intake for the current academic year included over 1,000 Indian students, the second largest group among international cohorts, making up 20 percent of the total international intake. The largest cohort is from China.

How do you perceive the impact of recent changes in immigration policies on Indian students?

In essence, the UK remains an appealing destination for students due to its favourable post-study work visa policies. At our university, students, excluding PhD candidates, are granted a two-year post-study work visa, while PhD students receive a three-year visa. Additionally, there are post-study work visa extensions based on income levels.

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For the University of Birmingham, the average salary in the top quartile for science subjects is approximately £55,000-£56,000, nearly Rs 6 million. This income surpasses the threshold required for a talent visa. Although changes to dependent policies implemented last year may seem less attractive, it has minimal impact on our university. The majority of our students come to study without their families, mitigating the effect of these changes.

How do you see the recent statistics from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) which revealed a decline in applications from Indian students to British universities for courses this year?

Whilst it is disappointing to see the numbers of international students drop, which may be related to perceptions around recent changes in UK immigration policy, it is those universities that focus on recruiting lower-performing students which have seen the biggest fall in applicant numbers from India.

The University of Birmingham continues to attract large numbers of top-performing Indian students, who are guaranteed a warm welcome into our University community – whether they choose to study in Birmingham or Dubai.

Are there any deliberations going on with the government to offer relaxation on some policies?

Currently, we are continuously monitoring developments, with an ongoing review expected to conclude in August. Any outcomes from this review are not anticipated to impact students arriving in the next year, and likely not for the next two years. The specifics of these changes remain uncertain.

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It wouldn't be surprising if there were further adjustments in the future. The government is dedicated to the International Education Strategy, aiming to attract more international students to the UK. This commitment is driven not only by financial considerations but also by the recognition that international students significantly contribute to cultural life and bring valuable skills to the country. However, the exact nature of these changes remains uncertain until the review concludes in August.

In my opinion, it is advisable to avoid additional changes to the current visa regime. The existing system is already attractive,

Based on your insights, which courses do you believe offer higher chances for students to secure permanent residency?

There is a clear shortage of occupations, mainly around information technology (IT) and related fields, health-related subjects, various engineering disciplines, and science education. Additionally, there is a demand in the finance sector, particularly in areas like accounting and auditing. Students pursuing these courses, and performing well, typically have ample job opportunities.

Have you observed any shifts in the trends among Indian students when it comes to course preferences? Are any new courses that have been recently announced?

While data sciences within the IT domain remain highly attractive, we've observed a broader spectrum of subjects chosen by Indian students in recent years. This includes areas such as psychology, biology, and even humanities and social sciences.

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The recently established Digital Media and Communications program has garnered significant popularity among students. Additionally, there is a course on air pollution management. Furthermore, responding to the growing demand, we will be introducing a Master of Science (MSc) program in cybersecurity.

What do you think of the University Grants Commission (UGC) allowing foreign universities in India?

Immediate changes in the scenario may not be evident due to the substantial number of Indian students and the inadequacy in the quantity and quality of universities in India. While there are excellent universities, there is an acknowledgement that improvements are needed.

Realistically, achieving significant changes might take time, possibly in the range of 10 to 20 years. Drawing a parallel, it is observed that China took 30 to 40 years to reach its current educational stature. Therefore, the process of improvement and advancement is gradual but vital.

Please throw some light on the most recent collaborations.

We signed an MoU with the Government of Maharashtra to set up a specialist Research and Innovation Hub to tackle challenges in key state priority areas including agriculture and healthcare, using Artificial Intelligence (AI).

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The partnership aims to develop a rich environment of collaborative research between the University of Birmingham, and the state-funded universities in the fields of AI and Data Science. There will also be opportunities for PhD research.

Further, we signed a MoU with Symbiosis International University (SIU) to make it easier for Indian students to study for a postgraduate law qualification in the UK. Eligible students from Symbiosis Law School (SLS) will be able to apply for admission to the postgraduate programme at Birmingham Law School. The students will also be awarded special scholarships as part of the partnership.