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<p>In the 2018/19 academic year, tuition fees from international students at UK higher
education providers accounted for around £7 billion of sector income. The government
recognises that the COVID-19 outbreak will have an unparalleled impact on all elements
of the global and UK economy. The higher education sector, including student recruitment,
is no exception. We have been working closely with the sector to monitor the likely
impacts of COVID-19 on international student numbers, including restrictions on travel.
We understand that the COVID-19 outbreak and a possible reduction in the number of
international students poses significant challenges and we stand ready to help the
sector with various mitigations.</p><p>The government is working to ensure that existing
rules and regulations, including visa regulations, are as flexible as possible for
international students under these unprecedented circumstances. Higher education providers
will also be flexible in accommodating applicants’ circumstances where possible, including
if applicants are unable to travel to the UK in time for the start of the academic
year.</p><p>On Monday 4 May, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education,
announced the package of measures to stabilise university admissions this autumn and
ensure sustainability in higher education at a time of unprecedented uncertainty.
I wrote to all hon. Members on 4 May with full details of the package, which have
also been published on GOV.UK: <a href="http://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-and-students"
target="_blank">www.gov.uk/government/news/government-support-package-for-universities-and-students</a>.</p><p>The
new graduate route, due to be launched in summer 2021, provides an opportunity for
international students who have been awarded their degree to stay and work in the
UK at any skill level for 2 years. This represents a significant improvement in our
offer to international students and will help to ensure that our world-leading higher
education sector remains competitive internationally.</p><p>On Friday 5 June, the
Department for Education announced Sir Steve Smith as the International Education
Champion, a key deliverable of the 2019 International Education Strategy. Sir Steve
will assist with opening up export growth opportunities for the whole UK education
sector, tackling international challenges such as those posed to attracting international
students and forging lasting global connections. The International Education Strategy, published
in March 2019 by the Department for Education and the Department for International
Trade, set out a commitment to review progress following its publication. The review,
which we intend to publish this autumn, will ensure that the International Education
Strategy responds to this new context and the challenges that are posed.</p>
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