Your current location:HOME >travel >A third of foreign students seeking to stay in the UK are at just SIX institutions, figures show 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 09:38:04 Source: Internet compilationEdit:travel
More than a third of foreign students who went on to claim asylum in Britain were sponsored to come
More than a third of foreign students who went on to claim asylum in Britain were sponsored to come here by just six educational institutions.
The leaked figures come amid widespread concern that higher education is being abused as an immigration route.
The statistics from a secret Home Office database, covering the 12 months to March 2023, show 6,136 asylum cases were lodged by foreign students, more than a four-fold surge on the previous year.
Of those, 2,195 were sponsored by five universities and an education agency.
Study Group UK sponsored visas for 804 foreign students who later claimed asylum. The company's total was skewed towards two nationalities: 642 asylum claims from Bangladeshis and 156 from Pakistanis.
The statistics from a secret Home Office database, covering the 12 months to March 2023, show 6,136 asylum cases were lodged by foreign students, more than a four-fold surge on the previous year
The second-highest number of student visa-holders who claimed asylum in the year were sponsored by Portsmouth University (pictured), with 395
Third was De Montfort University (pictured) with 310 student visa-holders who claimed asylum in the year
Study Group's website describes it as a 'leading international education specialist and a trusted strategic partner to more than 50 universities around the world'.
The firm – along with individual universities – is licensed to sponsor foreign visa applicants by a Home Office agency, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).
The second-highest number of student visa-holders who claimed asylum in the year were sponsored by Portsmouth University, with 395.
Its claims included 252 Bangladeshis, 54 from Afghans, 38 from Cameroonians and 28 from Pakistanis.
Third was De Montfort University with 310, followed by the University of Hertfordshire with 275, Coventry University with 217 and the University for the Creative Arts with 194.
Former home secretary Suella Braverman is among those who have previously criticised the higher education sector's role in bringing vast numbers of foreign students to Britain.
'Too many universities are selling immigration, not education,' she said in January.
In December Home Secretary James Cleverly announced a review of the 'graduate visa' which allows students who have completed their courses to work in Britain for up to two years.
Fourth was the University of Hertfordshire (pictured) with 275 student visa-holders who claimed asylum in the year
Fifth was Coventry University (pictured) with student visa-holders who claimed asylum in the year
In December Home Secretary James Cleverly (pictured on Wednesday) announced a review of the 'graduate visa' which allows students who have completed their courses to work in Britain for up to two years
An official review was only launched three months later and its results are awaited.
Latest Home Office data shows there were 457,673 sponsored study visas granted to main applicants last year. This is five per cent fewer than in 2022 but 70 per cent up on 2019 prior to the Covid pandemic.
However the graduate route allowed 114,409 foreign students to extend their stay in Britain by two years after completing a course, up 57 per cent year-on-year.
A University of Portsmouth spokesman said: 'This issue is a result of the Government's asylum policy, which allows visa switching in a way that is outside the direct control of the universities concerned and is not a failing of the higher education sector.
'The visa system and rules should not permit individuals approved to study with a study visa to legally switch to claim asylum.' He added the university has taken steps and worked with UKVI on the issue.
A Study Group spokesman said: 'As a UKVI licence-holder with a track record of compliance to sponsor international students, we take our duties extremely seriously.
'We immediately flag immigration concerns regarding any students who may seem non-genuine.'
A spokesman for the higher education body Universities UK International said: 'To recruit international students, universities must meet very high standards set by government.
'Adherence to these standards is continuously monitored by UKVI and compliance is exceptionally high.
'Our universities take visa compliance very seriously and, working with the Home Office and UKVI, take all possible steps to minimise the potential for abuse.'
Everybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle2024-05-21 09:31
Search continues in Maine as officer is charged with lying about taking missing person to hospital2024-05-21 08:25
Capitals' Nick Jensen is conscious and alert after being stretchered off the ice2024-05-21 08:17
Pitt modernized its offense over the winter. The growing pains will be felt for a while2024-05-21 08:16
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation2024-05-21 08:13
Xi's article calls on young officials to shoulder mission of the times2024-05-21 08:05
Mexican president accuses U.S., Canada of ambiguous stance on Ecuador2024-05-21 07:30
12th Chinese medical team wins hearts of Ghanaians2024-05-21 07:07
Everybody may love Raymond, but Ray Romano loves Peter Boyle2024-05-21 07:07
Varsho hits 2nd career slam, Rodríguez fans 6 in debut as Blue Jays beat Rockies 52024-05-21 06:58
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky2024-05-21 09:28
Xi's article calls on young officials to shoulder mission of the times2024-05-21 09:06
IOM assists in voluntary return of 133 Pakistanis from Libya2024-05-21 08:50
Xi sends congratulatory letter to General Assembly of Alliance for Cultural Heritage in Asia2024-05-21 08:30
Socialite Jasmine Hartin enjoys beach snuggle with electrician hunk2024-05-21 08:06
Policeman killed in explosion in NW Pakistan2024-05-21 07:48
Chinese vice premier calls for rule of data for sustainable development2024-05-21 07:24
Sam Mayer makes last2024-05-21 07:18
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind2024-05-21 07:04
Reims and Rennes drop points in the French league chase for a European place2024-05-21 07:02