The UK remains “committed” to international students, despite a study suggesting more than half of foreign students in the UK feel “less welcome”.
The Regent's University of London report into attitudes of international students found 52% of students studying in Britain felt “less welcome” because of controversial migration policies.
Speaking to StudentTenant.com however, the British Council reaffirmed the UK's commitment to foreign students, stating that the UK offers a “very warm welcome” to internationals.
A spokesperson for the British Council said: “The government continues to emphasise that it's committed to welcoming international students.
“In a recent BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills) survey, over 88% of international higher education graduates said they were satisfied with their learning experience in the UK.”
The BIS report in question, released in 2012, shows that 88% of graduates in 2010 were satisfied with the learning experience in the UK, with 88% also satisfied with the living experience.
In the document, the BIS said: “The reputation of higher education is now defined and redefined...by current students and by recent graduates, reflecting on the value of and outcomes from their UK study experience.”
The findings did show a slight drop in satisfaction with the learning experience. In 2008, 91% of graduates were satisfied.
But talking to foreign students, StudentTenant.com found that many are satisfied with the current situation in the UK.
Mara Podaru, 22, originally from Romania but now living in Malaysia, found that the UK's current migration policies are not putting off students from studying here.
She said: “I think the UK has a reputation for having a very diverse student body with excellent universities and courses.
“I chose to come to the UK because it was a lot cheaper than other countries like America and Australia.
“The courses only took three years, and I loved London!”
Lydia Deichmann, 20, from Denmark, said that the UK does have enough support in place for international students.
She said: “In my first year I had a special introduction to the university and living in England, which was for international students only.
“I do feel like I can always approach my university if I need any help with anything.”
However, not all students agreed with the BIS findings.
Carlo Boffa, 22, from Italy, said that the financial implications of studying in the UK were putting students off.
He said: “Fees are really expensive in the UK, much more than in the rest of Europe.
“Mine are paid by the Students Loan Company, so not a big issue until I'll have to pay them back, but for students outside the EU this is putting them off from studying here.”
Despite the financial concerns of students, Carlo did agree that his experience of university in the UK had been good.
“The system as far as my experience can tell is good.
“Most of the time there are people who can help me, and teachers are more or less always present when I need them.”
Written By: Kieran Watkins