international students: their contribution to the uk economy and society - thomas rhodes, university...

International Studentsand the growth agenda

Tom Rhodes, Head of International RelationsThe University of Sheffield

International students are key to the UK economy, but…what stories does the UK tell the world?

Welcome to Britain!

Or this?

Times of India - Hundreds of Indian students face deportation from UK

LONDON: Hundreds of Indian students face deportation from the UK after the British government on Thursday revoked London Metropolitan University's (LMU) licence to teach and admit anybody from outside the European Union… More than 2,600 students from non-EU countries will be hit by the border agency's step, and a large number of these are Indians.

2013 Immigration Bill

• NHS charging• Landlords to check status and hold

passports• Removal of in country right of appeal

On our streets…

In our cities…

A powerful force for the UK economy

Value of international students to the UK economy - £8 billion annual (UUK)

Of total contribution to UK education - £14 billion (BIS)

Show the evidence

• International students directly contribute £120 million to Sheffield’s GDP

• 10% of inward investment• Interest in replicating the

Sheffield study in other places, including in London – led by London First and the Mayor’s Office

Taking our case to Parliament

More than money – the myth of isolation

International students:• work on placements in our hospitals and

businesses• volunteer for 142 Sheffield charities and schools• ‘adopt’ local charities and engineer solutions • are the main volunteers for city festivals

Students #standbyme selfies

Public and political engagement• Mobilising support – identifying outstanding

alumni who are making a key contribution to the UK and who may be prepared to speak about this

• Create support in parliament – MPs and Chancellors who are Members of the House of Lords

Sharing materials

• Recognise when it is in our interests to work together beyond institutional or sector boundaries

• #weareinternational holds shared materials for all UK universities – supported by 100 UK universities and partners, including UUK, NUS, Russell Group and the CBI.

Explain our systems in a student voice

• Worked with the Home Office on a student-led video showing Indian applicants going through the UK visa system

• No branding so can be used by universities and the Home Office, and shared on social media

• New film for use in China

08/04/2023© The University of Sheffield

“We are all international students…”