UKCISA welcomes Education Committee report on the threat of insolvency to international students
May 14, 2026
UKCISA welcomes the House of Commons Education Committee’s report on Higher Education Funding: Threat of Insolvency and International Students.
The report rightly recognises that international students are central to the UK’s higher education sector, local communities and global reputation. It also highlights the need for immigration and higher education policy to be considered in a joined-up way.
UKCISA’s evidence to the inquiry highlighted the importance of clarity, fairness and student protection. International students are not simply a funding stream. They are students, graduates, future partners and members of our communities. Sustainable international recruitment depends on trust: clear rules, fair compliance, timely information and a positive student experience.
We particularly welcome the Committee’s recommendation that the Home Office should become a co-owner of the International Education Strategy and align immigration policy with it. The report also reflects concerns raised by UKCISA and our members about the implementation of proposed Basic Compliance Assessment changes, including the need for accurate real-time data, fair treatment of smaller providers, and careful consideration of how compliance measures affect recruitment diversification.
The report also makes important recommendations on student protection in the event of provider insolvency. International students face specific risks because their immigration status is linked to their sponsoring institution. Any strengthened student protection plan or possible special regime established to manage processes following insolvency must ensure that international students can continue and complete their studies, transfer where necessary, and receive clear advice and support on visa, accommodation and financial implications.
We also welcome the Committee’s call for further analysis of the international student levy, including its impact on different types of providers, students and local communities. Any policy that increases costs for international students must be tested carefully against affordability, student experience and the UK’s reputation as a welcoming and reliable study destination.
Heather Knight, Interim Chief Executive said:
‘This report reinforces what UKCISA and our members have been raising: international student policy must be joined up, evidence-based and centred on the student experience. International students are navigating a system shaped by uncertainty. Government must ensure that students are provided with clarity, stability and proper protections in response to the ongoing impacts of changing immigration and international student policy. If we are serious about remaining a world-leading destination, we must do more than rely on their contribution - we must actively protect and celebrate it.’
UKCISA looks forward to working with Government, regulators, members and students to ensure future policy supports compliance, protects students and strengthens the UK’s global reputation.
About UKCISA
The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) is a UK-based charity and membership organisation committed to supporting international students and the educators, institutions, and organisations that work with them. Through education and advocacy UKCISA aim to ensure that every international student in the UK enjoys a positive experience.
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