APPG Events

Upcoming APPG Events

APPG for International Students 

Launch event: Inquiry into Graduate Visa – Attlee Room, House of Lords

Wednesday 19 July 2023, 15:30-17:00

The APPG for International Students will launch the report from our most recent Inquiry into the Graduate visa for international Students. The report highlights 10 recommendations, for government, the higher education sector and wider stakeholders aimed to make the Graduate visa more effective at supporting international student ambitions, local communities and the UK economy and the UK’s future international student recruitment strategies.

It brings together research from across government and experts in higher education, immigration, employment and education export. The report includes feedback from our international student roundtable which brought together those who had yet to apply for the Graduate visa with international graduates at different stages of either the graduate visa or skilled worker and those who had left the UK.


 Past Events

APPG for International Students 

Expert Roundtable: Inquiry into Graduate Visa- Committee Room G, House of Lords

Tuesday 23 May 2023, 14:30-16:00

The Graduate Visa was launched in 2021 to offer international students studying at degree level in the UK the opportunity to work here for two years after study. On the 1st July 2023 the visa will officially have been available for two years and the first of the students to access the visa will start to take their next steps. To mark this anniversary the APPG for International Students are conducting a short inquiry into the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa route in its first two years.

The expert roundtable is one of two events hosted by the APPG for International Students, to inform the inquiry. APPG members will have the opportunity to explore the evaluations of the route which have been done to date, and to ask questions of their expert authors. The experts include the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), IDP Education, and others.

 The inquiry will explore the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa in three areas:

  1. To support international student ambitions to work in the UK after study.
  2. To support the international student experience and positive perceptions of the UK as a study destination.
  3. To support local, regional and national employers and economies by contributing to the skilled workforce and encouraging new entrepreneurs.

The expert roundtable will be the main method of collecting evidence for the inquiry as we will not be holding an open call for evidence. The roundtable will seek to:

  • Identify where there is consensus and disagreement on the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa as it relates to the scope of the inquiry.
  • Identify where there are gaps in available evidence that could and should be addressed to better support the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa.
  • Explore possible recommendations for government, the education sector and students to enhance the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa to meet the aims identified by the inquiry.

A summary of the evidence from the experts will be circulated ahead of the roundtable.

APPG for International Students 

Graduate Visa Inquiry: student roundtable

Wednesday 7 June, 13:30-15:30 (online)

The Graduate Visa was launched in 2021 to offer international students studying at degree level in the UK the opportunity to work here for two years after study. On the 1st July 2023 the visa will officially have been available for two years and the first of the students to access the visa will start to take their next steps. To mark this anniversary the APPG for International Students are conducting a short inquiry into the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa route in its first two years.

The student roundtable is one of two events hosted by the APPG for International Students, to inform the inquiry. International students, both with experience and without experience of the Graduate Visa, will have the opportunity to contribute their perspectives and respond to some of the key findings identified in the expert roundtable. Participating students include UKCISA Student Ambassadors and international students sourced by the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS) and the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA)

APPG for International Students 

Expert Roundtable: Inquiry into Graduate Visa- Committee Room G, House of Lords

Tuesday 23 May 2023, 14:30-16:00

The Graduate Visa was launched in 2021 to offer international students studying at degree level in the UK the opportunity to work here for two years after study. On the 1st July 2023 the visa will officially have been available for two years and the first of the students to access the visa will start to take their next steps. To mark this anniversary the APPG for International Students are conducting a short inquiry into the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa route in its first two years.

The expert roundtable is one of two events hosted by the APPG for International Students, to inform the inquiry. APPG members will have the opportunity to explore the evaluations of the route which have been done to date, and to ask questions of their expert authors. The experts include the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services (AGCAS), the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA), IDP Education, and others.

 The inquiry will explore the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa in three areas:

  1. To support international student ambitions to work in the UK after study.
  2. To support the international student experience and positive perceptions of the UK as a study destination.
  3. To support local, regional and national employers and economies by contributing to the skilled workforce and encouraging new entrepreneurs.

The expert roundtable will be the main method of collecting evidence for the inquiry as we will not be holding an open call for evidence. The roundtable will seek to:

  • Identify where there is consensus and disagreement on the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa as it relates to the scope of the inquiry.
  • Identify where there are gaps in available evidence that could and should be addressed to better support the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa.
  • Explore possible recommendations for government, the education sector and students to enhance the effectiveness of the Graduate Visa to meet the aims identified by the inquiry.

A summary of the evidence from the experts will be circulated ahead of the roundtable.

APPG for International Students 

APPGIS Roundtable: The International Student Journey

March 21 February 2023, 13:00-15:00 – Committee Rm 1, House of Lords

In partnership with the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA)

NOTICE:

The APPG for International Students will hold our Annual General Meeting on 21 March 2023 in Committee Room 1, House of Lords from 13:00-13:30. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion on The International Student Journey exploring the international student recruitment process and the role that Agents plan in supporting students and UK schools, colleges and universities. All APPG members and parliamentarians are invited to join the roundtable which includes students sharing their journey and why they chose the UK, Recruitment Agents on their role in this process, and school, college and university representatives on their engagement with students and Agents. We will hear from the authors of the UK Agent Quality Framework, the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA) and the British Council on their Hub for Agents and Counsellors on how they are looking to maintain and enhance the standards of support for students in the recruitment process.

Please RSVP to the office of APPG Co-Chair Paul Blomfield MP at pippa.sparke@parliament.uk.

APPG for International Students AGM & Roundtable 

Tuesday21 March 2023, 13:00-15:00 – House of Lords

On 21 March 2023 the APPG for International Students will host our AGM and roundtable. Please note that only parliamentary members will join the AGM but we welcome our supporters and sector advisors to join for the Roundtable that follows.

The meeting will start with AGM business for members only and be followed by a roundtable focused on International Student Recruitment: with a spot light on recruitment agents. We will hear from students, representatives from universities, colleges and schools, as well as recruitment agents and university recruitment staff. The roundtable is hosted in partnership with the British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA) and will explore the international student journey and the important role education agents have in assisting prospective students apply and enrol to study in the UK.

All parliamentarians are invited to attend the meeting

Please RSVP the office of APPG Co-Chair Paul Blomfield MP at pippa.sparke@parliament.uk.

International Students: Developing and Enabling Student Exchange
Wednesday 22 February 2023, 15:30-17:00 – House of Lords

On 22nd February 2023 the APPG for International Students will host our event on international student exchange, exploring the opportunities and barriers to supporting students from the UK and overseas to study or intern for short periods in another country.

Bringing together students who are currently on exchange in the UK, UK students who have experienced a period of mobility abroad, and representatives from the UK and European HE and FE sectors, this roundtable will explore the current landscape for student exchange following the UK Government’s decision not to participate in the Erasmus successor programme and launch of the UK Turing Scheme in 2021.

The UK now has two national mobility schemes: Turing and Taith; which have created a raft of opportunities for UK students to work and study abroad, and a framework for UK Higher Education providers to continue to operate student exchange with overseas partners. In its second year, the Turing Scheme has concluded one project cycle and produced a cohort of students and education providers with experience of participating in the programme. The Taith scheme, a Welsh government initiative, allows for both UK students to study abroad and for overseas students to come to Wales. This roundtable will look to answer the question, where do we go from here? What are the opportunities and barriers to student mobility through exchange, and how can we create more partnerships to give a wider population of students the opportunity to study abroad.

The roundtable is organised with the support of UUKi. UUKi is a membership organisation representing 140 UK universities. Increasing opportunities for UK students to gain an international experience and ensuring the UK remains an attractive place for overseas staff and students to work and study are core policy priorities

All parliamentarians are invited to attend the meeting

Please RSVP the office of APPG Co-Chair Paul Blomfield MP at pippa.sparke@parliament.uk.

International Students: Working in partnership with other countries and across the education sector

Thursday 19 January 2023, 10:30-11:30 – House of Commons

A clear priority in the UK’s international education strategy is how we work with other countries. There are priority countries, scholarship programmes, and teams in government who create partnerships with foreign governments, schools, universities and their UK counterparts,. Through these partnerships and activities international students can study a range of courses, from short courses delivering executive education to doctoral programmes promoting joint research initiatives. Some of the focus is on a specific country, but in other cases regional collaboration can greatly enhance the diversity of the students who come to study in the UK. In the most recent update of the strategy, government departments were exploring how we can strengthen this activity through trade agreements.

This roundtable will bring together representatives from LEARN, the network of staff in London embassies with a focus on education and research, alongside education sector representatives to offer insight into how these collaborations, partnerships and programmes support international education in the UK, and what can be done to strengthen these links. We will explore the activities already on offer and look towards the future at what could be possible if we work more closely with experts across the world to support international education.

All parliamentarians are invited to attend the meeting

Please RSVP the office of APPG Co-Chair Paul Blomfield MP at pippa.sparke@parliament.uk.

APPG for International Students – International Students Day 

Monday 5 December 2022, 15:00-16:30 – House of Lords

The event will hear from international students on how volunteering has had an impact on their student experience and how they have contributed to the communities they study in.

We will also hear from those who work with international students on what could be done to better support volunteering, and to increase the impact volunteering can have for all involved. APPG members will be invited to meet and hear directly from our invited students from across the UK, as well UK-based embassy staff from around the world, further and higher education staff, and those from UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) who support international students to volunteer and share their unique experiences and cultures.

Supported by the British University International Liaison Association (BUILA) and the embassy network LEARN, this year’s celebration represents an excellent opportunity for the APPG to welcome international students back to the UK!

All parliamentarians are invited to attend the meeting

Please RSVP the office of APPG Co-Chair Paul Blomfield MP at pippa.sparke@parliament.uk.

 APPG for International Students – International Students Day 
 17 November 2020, 13:00-14:00 – Online Zoom

This event with UKCISA, held during International Students’ Week, brings together students from a wide variety of countries, studying at different higher education providers in the UK. We will follow with a full agenda shortly.All parliamentarians and APPG supporters are invited to attend the meeting. Please RSVP your attendance to appgis@exeduk.com

APPG for International Students Meeting and EGM

Thursday 05 November 2020, 10.40-12.00 – Online Zoom

The APPG for International Students welcomes Members and Parliamentarians to join a discussion with the newly appointed International Education Champion, Sir Steve Smith on his role and the future for international students in the UK. The meeting with begin with an EGM to consider the election of Ben Lake MP as an officer of the group.

Sir Steve Smith was appointed the International Education Champion in 2020, and his role is to spearhead overseas activity and develop strong international partnerships. The Champion will work with organisations across the breadth of the education sector, including universities, schools, the EdTech industry, vocational training, and early years schooling providers. The Champion will also target priority regions worldwide, as well as tackling concerns over the global recognition of UK degrees.

All parliamentarians are invited to attend the meeting

Please RSVP to appgis@exeduk.com and the office of APPG Co-Chair Paul Blomfield MP at pippa.sparke@parliament.uk.

APPG for International Students – International Students Day Afternoon Tea

25 February 2020, 16:00-18:00 – House of Commons

This event brings together students from a wide variety of countries, studying at different higher education providers, and for the first time, further education colleges, in the UK. Each student has been selected for their contributions to their local institution or community. We have worked with the National Union of Students, LEARN – London Education and Research Network for Education Attaches and the Association of Colleges. Parliamentarians will have the opportunity to meet and hear their stories.

 


APPG for International Students Meeting with Association of Colleges and English UK & AGM

08 January 2020, 09:30-11:30 – House of Lords

We welcome MPs, Peers and their staff to join us for a meeting with the Association of Colleges and English UK. The meeting will be in the form of a roundtable to discuss the International Education Strategy, the impact of international students in the further education and English language sectors, and what is needed to make the recommendations from the APPG Inquiry report work on the ground.  The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place prior to the roundtable discussion.

 


APPG for International Students Meeting with CBI & AGM

17 July 2019, 08:30-10:30 – House of Lords

We welcome MPs, Peers and their staff to join us for a meeting with the CBI. The meeting will be in the form of a roundtable to discuss the International Education Strategy, how the business and industry related recommendations of the APPG for International Students have been considered and what is needed to make both work on the ground. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will take place prior to the roundtable discussion.

 


 

 APPG for International Students Meeting with BUILA

29 April 2019, 15:00-17:00 – House of Lords

We welcome MPs, Peers and their staff to join us for a meeting with the British Universities’ International Liaison Association (BUILA). The meeting will be in the form of a roundtable to discuss the International Education Strategy, how the recommendations of the APPG for International Students have been considered and what is needed to make both work on the ground.

 


 

APPG for International Students Inquiry Report Launch

06 November 2018, 08:30-10:00 – Portcullis House

We welcome MPs, Peers and their staff to join us for the morning launch of the report from our Inquiry: A sustainable future for international students in the UK. The event will feature a presentation of the report and a panel comprised of MPs, Peers and education representatives.

 


 

Celebrating International Students Day: Afternoon Tea with the APPG for International Students

13 November 2018, 15:30-17:00 – House of Lords

In partnership with the LEARN Committee of educational attachés from London Embassies and the British Council, the APPG for International Students will host a group of international students from around the world currently studying in the UK to celebrate International Students Day.

International Students’ Day is an international observance of the global student community, held annually on 17 November. Universities around the world mark the day as a celebration of the multiculturalism of their international students and the coming together of the international student community.

Paul Blomfield MP will host the event on behalf of the Co-Chairs. This event is sponsored by The British Council.

 


 

APPG for International Students private meeting with the Migration Advisory Committee on International Students Report

10 October 2018, 10:30-12:00 – House of Commons 

We welcome all MPs and Peers to join us for this meeting with the Migration Advisory Committee, which is being hosted by the APPG for International Students. The meeting is open to parliamentarians and their staff only and further details will be confirmed in due course.

 


 

APPG for International Students Inquiry Oral Evidence Sessions

11 September 2018, 9:30-11:30 & 4:30-6:00 – House of Commons 

The next oral evidence sessions for the APPG’s Inquiry will be held on Tuesday 11th September, focusing on the impacts of international students in for our Regions and Nations and in our communities. The Inquiry evidence sessions need members of the APPG to join the inquiry panel at all three sessions (9:30am; 10:30am and 4:30pm).

 


 

Drop-in Session: Impact of International Students to your Constituency with London Economics, HEPI and Kaplan International

11 September 2018, 11:30-13:00 – House of Commons 

The APPG for International Students is hosting a drop-in session for parliamentarians with London Economics, the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) and Kaplan International, the authors of ‘The costs and benefits of international students by parliamentary constituency‘ report, published in January 2018.

MPs, Peers and parliamentary or constituency staff are welcome to drop in between 11:30 and 13:30 to speak directly with the authors of this study to find out more the impact of international students in their constituency or a constituency they have an interest in. The report authors can also share how your constituency compares to similar constituencies, and the regional and national impact of international students.  Short presentations on the report will be given throughout the session alongside one to one information.

 


 

APPG for International Students Annual General Meeting and first Inquiry Oral Evidence Session

17 July 2018, 4:30-7:00pm – House of Lords

4:30-5:00pm AGM (MPs and Peers only)
5:00-7:00pm Oral Evidence session

The meeting will begin with the Annual General Meeting of the APPG for International Students, which will elect officers and hear the annual report.

The session will continue with the first of two oral evidence sessions focusing on international students in the classroom and their impact on research, trade and soft power. APPG Members are encouraged to attend and ask questions during the evidence session.

 


 

Roundtable: A Sustainable Future for International Students in the UK?

3 July 2018, 9:00-10:30am – Portcullis House 

This roundtable will launch the new APPG Inquiry: A sustainable future for international students in the UK. Experts from education, business and the community will come together to share insights which will be captured for the inquiry. The session will be led by APPG Members who will be able to ask questions of the experts to shape the direction of future oral evidence sessions.

 


 

Celebrating International Students Day: Afternoon Tea with the APPG for International Students

15 November 2017, 16:30-18:00 – House of Commons

In partnership with the LEARN Committee of educational attachés from London Embassies and the British Council, the APPG for International Students will host a group of international students from around the world currently studying in the UK to celebrate International Students Day.

International Students’ Day is an international observance of the global student community, held annually on 17 November. Universities around the world mark the day as a celebration of the multiculturalism of their international students and the coming together of the international student community.

Paul Blomfield MP will host the event on behalf of the Co-Chairs.

This event is sponsored by The British Council.

 


 

 APPG for International Students AGM & Meeting: International Students in the new ‘Global Britain’

Wednesday 12 July 2017, Annual General Meeting 9:30-10:00, Meeting 10:00-11:00

International students invigorate our education sector while they study, our economy when they stay, and our relationships with the world when they return home. Will Brexit change who comes here to study and how they feel about the UK? Can international students and alumni open new opportunities as ambassadors for Global Britain?

Our Panel of experts share their thoughts on the role of international students in Global Britain:

Nicky Morgan MP (Con) – Member of Parliament for Loughborough

Ken Gill, Chief Executive, Northern Consortium UK (Consortium of Northern Universities)

Yinbo Yu, International Students’ Officer, National Union of Students 

Martin Barrow, Advisor, China-Britain Business Council

This meeting will also host the APPG’s Annual General Meeting and new members are welcome to register by emailing appg@exeduk.com. Any APPG member wishing to be elected to an officer role are encouraged to get in touch with the secretariat for more information. The meeting is open to all parliamentarians and to external guest by invitation only, as per APPG guidance. If you would like to attend please email appg@exeduk.com.

 


 

Celebrating International Students Day: Afternoon Tea with the APPG for International Students

17 November 2016, 15:30-17:00 – House of Lords

In partnership with the LEARN Committee of educational attachés from London Embassies and the University of Bradford Business School, the APPG for International Students will host a group of international students from around the world currently studying in the UK to celebrate International Students Day.

International Students’ Day is an international observance of the global student community, held annually on 17 November. Universities around the world mark the day as a celebration of the multiculturalism of their international students and the coming together of the international student community.

Lord Bilimoria will host the event on behalf of the Co-Chairs.

Mostafa Rajaai, International Students Officer at NUS will be our keynote speaker, discussing the importance international students play in enriching education around the world, and the efforts of students in the UK to create more opportunities for cross-cultural learning.

The British Council will also be in attendance to showcase their new digital platform which aims to promote UK higher education and be a vital resource to prospective and current international students in the UK.

This event is sponsored by The University of Bradford Business School.

 


 

APPG for International Students Meeting: In Discussion with Jo Johnson

15 November 2016, 16:00-17:00 – House of Lords

The first formal meeting of the APPG for International Students will host Jo Johnson, Minister for Universities, Science, Research and Innovation. The Minister will update APPG members on the government’s activities to promote international education and UK Higher Education globally. He will also update the APPG on his (then) recent trip to India which marks the start of a new way of promoting the UK as a study destination through the Education is GREAT campaign.

We will also have as a guest speaker Rebecca Hughes, Head of Education at the British Council and Co-Chair of the International Education Advisory Group – a body which brings together education sector groups and government to promote and develop international education in the UK, and in particular the recruitment of international students.

 

International Education Events


Relevant upcoming international education events will be listed here.

 

 

 


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