UKCISA statement on negative impact of an international student levy

UKCISA welcomes the report by Public First Counting the Cost: Modelling the economic impact of a potential levy on international student fees which outlines the negative impact that a levy on international tuition fees would have on the higher education sector and the student experience. The levy is one of the policies proposed by the government in its Immigration White Paper and accompanying technical annex, released in May 2025. 

This research and its findings demonstrate the significant risk a levy would present to the sector and our international students. Government must conduct a comprehensive impact assessment, reflecting on the evidence in this report and consulting widely with institutions, students and sector organisations to understand fully what it will mean for teaching, learning and the wider student experience.  

Institutions and their international students are experiencing widespread pressures on costs and budgets, and this research shows clearly the potential for a levy to have a material and long-lasting impact on the domestic and international student experience, as well as hamper any government ambitions to promote the UK’s global education offer. 

UKCISA will continue to gather feedback from our members and international students about the likely impacts of any proposed levy.