Following the comprehensive review of the Graduate Route by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), the UK government has chosen to retain the post-study work visa but has introduced a raft of stringent compliance measures aimed at tackling abuse in the student sector. The measures, which came into full force in mid-2024, place a heavier burden on universities and recruitment agents to ensure that the UK’s education exports, worth billions, do not become a “backdoor” for low-skilled migration.
The Graduate Route: Saved but Scrutinised
The Graduate Route (formerly post-study work) allows international students to stay and work in the UK for two years (three for PhDs) after graduation, without a sponsor. Critics argued it was being used primarily for low-wage work rather than attracting “best and brightest” talent. However, the government accepted the MAC’s advice that scrapping it would catastrophically damage the university sector’s competitiveness.
Instead of abolition, the focus has shifted to quality control.
Crackdown on “Rogue Agents”
A key finding of the review was that aggressive international recruitment agents were mis-selling UK education as a guaranteed path to permanent residency. To combat this:
- Mandatory Framework: Universities are now held strictly accountable for the agents they use. A new mandatory registration framework for recruitment agents ensures that misleading marketing can lead to an agent being blacklisted.
- Sponsor Licence Risk: If a university is found to be complicit in, or negligent regarding, agent misconduct, their own sponsor licence is at risk of suspension.
English Language Assessments
To ensure that students can genuinely cope with the academic rigour of UK courses, the Home Office has mandated stricter English language standards. Crucially, universities are now required to assess the English proficiency of students before issuing a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) more robustly, rather than relying solely on third-party tests which have previously been subject to fraud.
Attendance and Engagement Monitoring
For students already in the UK, the “engagement” rules have tightened. Universities must now report a student’s withdrawal or lack of attendance much faster.
- The 60-Day Rule: If a student stops attending classes or is withdrawn by the university, their visa is curtailed. They essentially have 60 days to leave the UK or find another valid route.
- Remote Learning limits: The post-pandemic leniency on remote learning has ended. Students are expected to be physically present on campus for the majority of their studies to maintain visa compliance.
Impact on the University Sector
These measures have created a “compliance warnings” culture within Higher Education. Universities, fearing the loss of their lucrative international student revenue streams (which cross-subsidise domestic research), have become risk-averse.
- Admissions Delays: The enhanced vetting of applications has slowed down the issuance of CAS numbers.
- Switching Restrictions: Universities are now enforcing the rule that students cannot switch into a work visa until they have completed their course. This prevents the “drop-out to work” phenomenon that was rising in the care sector.
Conclusion
The message to international students is clear: The UK welcomes you, but the route is for education first, employment second. The “package deal” of a degree plus a work visa remains, but the scrutiny on intent and attendance is higher than ever. For universities, the cost of compliance has just increased significantly.