Navigating a complex policy environment with UKCISA’s trusted advice and guidance
November 05, 2026
With 394 members from higher education, further education, students’ unions and the wider education sector, UKCISA is proud to bring together a community of practitioners providing world-leading education experiences to international students throughout the UK.
2025-26 was an exceptionally challenging policy environment for education providers and international students. Amid the Immigration White Paper, proposed changes to Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) metrics, the future International Student levy, and the visa brake, we spoke with our members, listened to students, and engaged extensively with government departments to advocate for sector-informed, evidence-based policy decisions.
Read our 2025-26 Annual report
UKCISA’s trusted advice guided our member institutions and students through seven Statement of Changes to the Immigration rules. We answered 2,773 calls on our public advice line, 1,396 calls from members and updated our specialist content on our website and member Manual.
The inaugural #WeAreInternational Awards 2025 celebrated the individuals, teams and organisations helping to create exceptional international student experiences across the UK, from student volunteers and student groups to universities, students’ unions and pathway providers.
Throughout all our work, UKCISA aspired to centre students’ voices and ensure they were heard in decisions that affect them. We worked with our #WeAreInternational Student Ambassadors, who spoke at 22 events, including APPGs and conferences, and guided our work through our Student Advisory Group.
Our Annual Report shares all that we achieved together in 2025-26, and includes the Financial Report, Objectives, Activities, Governance and Structure, Independent Auditors’ Report, and Statement of Accounts.
Thank you for being a part of UKCISA this year. To stay up to date with all our work and updates, sign up to our newsletter here.
