Big ask

The Russell Group starts the fightback to attract international students to the UK

Having seen Universities UK thoroughly rebuffed by the government and with higher education’s coronavirus unity beginning to creak at the seams, the Russell Group is launching a campaign this morning to persuade international students to enrol in the UK. Under the title “Giving the UK a competitive edge in the international student market 2020-21”, the group of 24 large research-intensive universities is making a pitch to government to help create conditions for continued international recruitment.

The campaign has three elements: “To develop and deliver a joint international marketing campaign to show that the UK and its world-class universities are open for business; continuing, and where possible enhancing, visa reforms to ensure Britain remains a globally attractive destination for students; and seeking global consensus on the recognition of online courses.”