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<p>We have been working closely with the Higher Education (HE) sector to monitor the
likely impacts of COVID-19 on international student numbers. We understand that the
COVID-19 outbreak and a possible reduction in the number of international students
poses significant challenges.</p><p>On Monday 4 May my right hon. Friend, the Secretary
of State for Education, announced a package of measures to stabilise university admissions
this autumn and ensure sustainability in HE at a time of unprecedented uncertainty.</p><p>We
have introduced temporary student number controls for domestic and EU students for
the academic year 2020/21 to ensure a fair, structured distribution of students across
providers. These measures mean that providers will be able to recruit students up
to a temporary set level, based on provider forecasts, which allows additional growth
of up to 5% in the next academic year. The Secretary of State for Education, will
also have the discretion to allocate an additional 10,000 places, of which 5,000 will
be allocated to students studying nursing or allied health courses, to ensure growing
numbers that will support our vital public services. This measure will only apply
to full-time undergraduate UK/EU domiciled students, with certain specified exemptions.
These controls will not apply to international (non-EU) students.</p><p>The government
has been clear that the UK HE sector is ‘open for business’, remains world class and
is looking forward to welcoming both domestic and international students in the future.
To support international student recruitment, we are taking steps to further promote
the new Graduate route (due to be launched in Summer 2021) which will provide 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 ensure our HE sector remains competitive
internationally.</p><p>The government has been in close communication with partners
in the HE sector, who are considering educational provision for the academic year
2020/2021 and how to best reopen campuses. HE providers are autonomous institutions
and will make their own judgements based on the latest public health guidance, taking
account of the need to minimise risk to staff and students.</p><p>To help providers
make informed decisions about their provision, the government has issued guidance,
which is complemented by the Universities UK’s principles for reopening of campuses
to students and staff. We anticipate HE providers will be open for the autumn term
with a blend of online teaching and in-person tuition that they consider appropriate
and which minimises risk. HE providers will be flexible in accommodating applicants’
circumstances where possible, including if they are unable to travel to the UK in
time for the start of the academic year.</p>
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