Published on 22 May 2024
![University of Sunderland Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Sir David Bell](https://cmsasset.sunderland.ac.uk/prospectus/DB WIDE QUOTE 2024 High Res (1).jpg)
The University of Sunderland is among 26 northern universities who have written to the Prime Minister warning over plans to restrict graduate visas to international students.
In the letter, signed by Sunderland Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Sir David Bell, the universities warn PM Rishi Sunak that restricting visas further would “adversely impact all of our regional economies”, while “choking off the life chances of thousands of young people”.
The universities spoke out as the Prime Minister prepares to respond to demands from within his party to limit the graduate visa route, which allows overseas students to remain in the UK for two years after completing their courses.
In their letter, the vice-chancellors from universities including Sunderland, Durham and Teesside, as well as many other northern English universities, warned there had already been falls of up to 80 per cent in international student applications to some areas due to uncertainty over visa policy.
A “sudden and adverse financial contraction” from restrictions would “lead to an inevitable contraction of the capacity of our brilliant northern universities in terms of both teaching and research”, it said.
“This will in turn adversely impact all of our regional economies, stifling skills, innovation and productivity and choking off the life chances of thousands of young people,” added the letter.
![University of Sunderland](https://cmsasset.sunderland.ac.uk/prospectus/UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENT UNION GLOBAL FOOD FESTIVAL CITY SPACE_04-05-23_DJW_062 (1) (1).jpg)
![University of Sunderland](https://cmsasset.sunderland.ac.uk/prospectus/UNIVERSITY OF SUNDERLAND STUDENT UNION GLOBAL FOOD FESTIVAL CITY SPACE_04-05-23_DJW_080 (1) (1) (1).jpg)
![University of Sunderland](https://cmsasset.sunderland.ac.uk/prospectus/MicrosoftTeams-image (70) (1).jpg)
The latest analysis from Universities UK (UUK) demonstrates that, since the International Education Strategy launched, “growth in international student recruitment to the UK has delivered a boost of more than £60 billion to the UK’s economy”.
On top of their visa fees, international students who find work and start businesses contribute billions of pounds in income tax, national insurance and VAT annually. They are also usually net contributors to the NHS through the NHS surcharge.
The letter added: “There is an increasing need for high value skills integral to support the advancement of science, technology and engineering disciplines. Major economic harm to our universities would mean that the UK cannot keep pace with our competitors in providing world class education, putting our economy and prosperity at risk.
“Put simply: The UK and the North- including your own constituency- needs these skills and needs international students because of the benefits they bring to the UK economy and to our towns and cities.”
The letter was signed by:
Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sunderland
Professor Graham Baldwin, Vice-Chancellor, University of Central Lancashire
Professor Nic Beech, Vice-Chancellor, University of Salford
Professor Karen Bryan OBE, Vice-Chancellor, York St John University
Professor John Cater, Vice-Chancellor, Edge Hill University
Professor Shirley Congdon, Vice-Chancellor, University of Bradford
Professor Bob Cryan, Vice-Chancellor, University of Huddersfield
Professor Paul Croney, OBE, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Teesside University
Professor Chris Day, Vice-Chancellor, University of Newcastle
Professor Charles Egbu, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Trinity University
Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor, University of Liverpool
Professor Charlie Jeffery CBE, Vice-Chancellor, University of York
Professor Koen Lamberts, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sheffield
Professor Andy Long, Vice-Chancellor & Chief Executive Officer, Northumbria University
Professor Sean McNamara FRSA, Principal/Chief Executive Officer, Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA)
Professor Liz Mossop, Vice-Chancellor, Sheffield Hallam University
Professor Karen O’Brien, Vice-Chancellor, Durham University
Professor Dave Petley, Vice-Chancellor, University of Hull
Professor Malcolm Press, CBE, Vice-Chancellor, Manchester Metropolitan University
Sara Prowse, Chief Executive, UA92
Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester
Professor Andy Schofield, Vice-Chancellor, University of Lancaster
Professor Eunice Simmons, Vice Chancellor, University of Chester
Professor Peter Slee, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Beckett University
Professor Tim Stewart, Vice-Chancellor, BPP University
Professor Joe Wilson, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Conservatoire
Professor Simone Wonnacott, Vice-Chancellor, Leeds Arts University
Professor Hai-Sui Yu FREng, Vice-Chancellor, University of Leeds