Our Submission to the Education Select Committee Higher Education & Funding Inquiry
In July 2025, Russell Group Students’ Unions (RGSU) submitted evidence to the Education Select Committee’s inquiry into higher education funding, international students, and the risk of institutional insolvency.
Representing over 700,000 students across the UK’s leading research-intensive universities, our submission draws on the lived experiences of students and recent RGSU research, including:
The 2024 RGSU Student Manifesto
Our Globally Competitive report on international students
The 2023 Cost of Living Report
We focused on two central themes:
The Impact of Government Policy on International Students and University Finances
International students contribute over £42 billion annually to the UK economy, but recent policy changes have undermined confidence in the UK as a study destination.
Restrictions on visas, dependants, and graduate work rights, combined with rising fees, are pricing out prospective students and damaging enrolment.
Universities are increasingly reliant on international tuition to cross-subsidise core teaching – a model that is financially risky and unsustainable.
Without action, reduced international enrolments could create a downward spiral of cuts, course closures, and pressure to lift domestic fee caps.
Institutional Insolvency and Regional Impact
A university collapse would have devastating consequences – displacing students, cutting jobs, and damaging local economies.
International students help power regional growth through spending, part-time work, volunteering, and cultural exchange.
We call for a sustainable funding model, supportive immigration policy, and safeguards to protect universities and the communities they serve.
Key Recommendations
Increase public investment in higher education to reduce dependence on international fees
Protect and enhance visa policies, including maintaining the two-year Graduate Route
Remove international students from net migration targets
Introduce student living guarantees and invest in affordable student housing
Support regional resilience through contingency planning and strategic funding
This submission reinforces RGSU’s call for a fairer, more sustainable HE system and one that values international students, supports local economies, and protects the future of higher education for all.