Attracting Overseas Students to Welsh Universities

Part of 1. Questions to the Cabinet Secretary for Education – in the Senedd at 1:33 pm on 7 March 2018.

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Photo of Kirsty Williams Kirsty Williams Liberal Democrat 1:33, 7 March 2018

Thank you, David. I couldn't agree more with the analysis that you just gave of the importance of international students and, indeed, international staff who come to study and work at our universities. And I've been clear that students from the European Union, and beyond, remain very welcome in Wales and will continue to be very welcome in Wales. I have good news for the Chamber: UCAS data on full-time undergraduate acceptances for the 2017-18 academic year has shown that providers in Wales have had an increase in acceptances from the EU despite uncertainty relating to Brexit, and the highest number of acceptances on record from outside the EU. What's absolutely crucial to me is that we continue to press the case with the United Kingdom Government that international students should not form part of any immigration statistics that may come forward. As we heard yesterday from the Cabinet Secretary for health, whilst I believe those within the Department for Education understand this, and believe this, there is a battle to be won with the Home Office.