Maddalaine Ansell, Director Education, British Council, said:
“International students enhance the academic and social experience of all students and are greatly valued by our world leading Higher Education Institutions. Since 2021, there has been a continued decline in the number of EU students coming to the UK, alongside a drop in the number of UK students studying abroad. International students enrich the student experience, while studying overseas helps UK students develop valuable skills. The British Council has a longstanding commitment to supporting meaningful international exchange and therefore it is very welcome news for the sector that the UK Government has agreed to collaborate with the EU on a Youth Experience Scheme.
“This could provide greater opportunities for UK-based students to gain European experiences, while giving more EU students the chance to learn at our world leading higher education institutions, and gain valuable professional experience through internships and work placements, contributing significantly to the UK economy and enriching the UK's education sector. The UK needs a globally skilled workforce to negotiate, connect and engage internationally. Student mobility is crucial to achieving this.”