UK universities group calls for new post-study visa to attract Indian students

In an attempt to attract more Indian students, an influential representative body for the UK's leading universities have called for a new post-study visa, which was scrapped in 2012.

The post-study work visa allows international students from countries such as India to stay in the UK and work for up to two years after graduation. One of the reasons why a good number of Indian students choose other popular education destinations was the lack of an attractive post-study work option, said Professor Steve Smith, chair of Universities UK’s International Policy Network.

Countries such as the US and Canada offers a post-study option of three years, Australia four years and New Zealand three years.       

Smith said UK is in danger of losing its position as a top destination for international students unless a "more welcoming message" was sent out, reported news agency,  Press Trust of India (PTI).       

"The issue of post-study has loomed large. We think the UK is missing out on students looking to study overseas," Smith said.  "We think our proposal is a win-win; a win for students, universities and businesses across all regions of the UK," he said. 

According to recent figures cited by PTI, the number of Indian students coming to the UK dropped from a peak of nearly 24,000 a year in 2010-11 to a low of around 9,000 a year in 2015-16. A better post-study option could prevent this downward spiral.

"We know this has been an active policy discussion even within government. We want to be ready with positive proposals for the government to make the UK an even more attractive destination for talented students and graduates,” said Vivienne Stern, Director of Universities UK International.