Recommendation 52

We heard strong opposition from the higher education sector to the International Student Levy. They are concerned they may not be able to pass on the extra cost to students through higher fees and will struggle to absorb the additional financial cost given the sector’s wider financial difficulties. We were told by the Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee that he expects in the long run the cost will be passed on to international students. The Government told us that the funding of maintenance grants through the levy would tangibly demonstrate the benefits that international students bring to the UK higher education system, particularly through benefiting disadvantaged students in England. (Conclusion, Paragraph 275)