What does a new British Prime Minister mean for international students choosing to study in the UK?

The vote is over and the electorate has decided. In a year in which several of the world’s great democracies hold elections, Sir Keir Starmer becomes Britain’s 57th Prime Minister, taking up that position from Rishi Sunak, the United Kingdom’s first Prime Minister of Indian heritage.

So what does a new government and Prime Minister mean for international students and alumni considering travel to Britain?

Although the party of government has changed, the good news is that Britain’s identity as one of the most diverse countries in the world has not. London is still considered the top city in the world to be a student, largely because of its reputation for the combination of high quality universities, welcome to global talent and opportunities for employment.

And it isn’t just London. From Aberdeen in the north of Scotland to Durham, Leeds, Sheffield and Cardiff in Wales, international students thrive in their studies and go on to work in engineering and computing, as doctors and dentists, as architects and lawyers, often taking their first steps in their careers in their second home country courtesy of graduate visas available for two years to all who successfully complete their degrees.

This vital combination of university-level study and post-study work is set to continue under Labour. Although levels of immigration remain a concern in many countries, the new UK government has made clear it sees the country’s great universities and their international communities as central to its ambitions to rejuvenate economic growth. The party has long supported welcoming policies for international students as a welcome asset to the UK, and its incoming Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has previously hailed the 'major contribution' made by international students. Indian students currently making the decision to study in the UK can do so with a confidence in both welcome and opportunity.

The path of students from across the world to Britain is well-trodden. 55 world leaders were educated in the UK — one in four of the total number — and international graduates of British universities are found in professional careers and business right across the world.

Today a new generation forms what is often referred to as a ‘Living Bridge’. The UK attracts over 600,000 international students each year drawn by the reputation of its universities for quality in teaching and research, its safe and welcoming environment and graduate employment opportunities. In my role as Chief Executive of an organisation committed to expanding participation in global education, I meet with many of these talented students. Others who made the journey before them have been my esteemed colleagues in business and the National Health Service. So I know they come to love their universities and adopted cities. Again and again I have seen them pursue their ambitions and succeed wonderfully in doing so.

Whether arriving to study pathway programmes in international colleges linked to British universities as they prepare for admission or directly entering undergraduate or postgraduate study, international students are welcome in the UK and their opportunity to follow their studies with a period of employment in the country is secured.

This week students from around the world will take their place at graduation ceremonies and they will take up new career opportunities. It may be a new political chapter for the United Kingdom, but the door of opportunity remains wide open to international students.

Ian Crichton is the Chief Executive of Study Group which works with a wide range of British universities to provide pathway and international year one programmes to international students.