What is the background to the report?
In March 2024 Home Secretary James Cleverly asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to evaluate the Graduate route. Their report affirms the route's current structure amidst the previous conservative government's steadfast commitment to reducing net migration. This delicate balance between welcoming international talent and ensuring sustainable migration levels will undoubtedly shape many conversations post-election.
What are the MAC’s recommendations?
The MAC published its report on the Graduate Route on May 14, 2024. The Committee recommended the following:
- Maintain the Graduate Route: The MAC advises keeping the Graduate Route in its current form. This route aligns with the Home Office's goals and the International Education Strategy.
- Data-Driven Policymaking: The MAC recommends the government implements a clear data collection and monitoring plan before introducing new immigration routes or making significant policy changes. This data should assess the effectiveness of the route and its broader impact.
- Enhanced Student Route Transparency: Universities should provide the Home Office with the class of degree awarded to each Student route participant, in addition to confirming successful course completion. This would identify students who completed the course but did not achieve a passing grade.
- Protecting Students: The MAC recommends establishing a mandatory registration system for international recruitment agents and sub-agents. This would minimise the risk of student exploitation.
- Recruitment Agent Transparency: Universities should publish annual data on their spending on recruitment agents and the number of students recruited through them.
- Improved Data Analysis: The Home Office should review the data variables used for analysis across major visa routes like Skilled Worker, Student, and Graduate. This review aims to better define what the data represents and improve the quality of collected information.
- Utilising Matched Data: The MAC encourages the government to explore and leverage data matched between the Home Office and HMRC.
Is the Graduate route effective?
Data from the Home Office shows positive outcomes for Graduate route participants. Among those who switch to the Skilled Worker route, 69% secure jobs at a graduate level, similar to the rate for domestic graduates (75%). Interestingly, 20% take up care work roles.
Should there be further limitations?
Adding further limitations to the Graduate route could be an excessive overcorrection. Since January 2024, there have been substantial limitations on the ability for students to bring dependants. The MAC has observed a significant decrease in Student route applications due to this change. This, in turn, will likely reduce the number of graduates eligible for the Graduate route. For instance, there may be a substantial decline, around 63%, in deposit payments from international postgraduate students for the September 2024 intake compared to the previous year.
According to the MAC, any additional limitations on the Graduate route could make it more difficult to meet the recruitment goals for international students outlined in the International Education Strategy and worsen the financial struggles already faced by underfunded UK universities. A more stringent strategy, according to the MAC, would result in reduced research, course closures, and job losses. Under the worst circumstances, institutions may completely collapse.
What happens next?
The Home Office will analyse the recommendations and formulate a response. The extent to which they accept these recommendations remains to be seen.
How 3CS can help
For further information on Graduate visas or any business immigration matter, please get in touch with your usual 3CS contact.
