James Pitman, Study Group’s Managing Director for UK & Europe and Chair of Exporting Education UK commented that demonstrating a genuine welcome for international students through tangible policies will be fundamental to the UK recruiting a positive share of international students in the face of Covid-19.

He said, ‘Now is a critical moment for international students considering their study options and it is understandably an uncertain and stressful time to do so.’

‘These students and their families need to be sure that the decision to study in the UK is the right one for their futures, and that their investment will be rewarded with support once they arrive and the opportunity to contribute through early career opportunities for a period once they graduate’, he added.

“There is now a common understanding across government that this will be a key priority for a global Britain rebuilding our economy and new industries of the future after the coronavirus. International students also play a significant role in levelling up towns and cities across the UK with their injection of funding, vitality and talent’, said James Pitman.

‘These are relationships the UK is keen to develop and strengthen through the much-needed International Education Strategy, so I am delighted that the Minister has listened to advice from the education sector and that she has reached out directly to students in this way’, he added.