Darcy represents Students' Union UCL at Parliamentary Roundtable on International Students
On Wednesday 11 June, your Postgraduate Officer, Darcy Lan, joined fellow Russell Group Students’ Union (RGSU) officers at Parliament for a roundtable hosted by the APPG for International Students, chaired by Abtisam Mohamed MP and Lord Karan Bilimoria.
This important session formed part of the APPG’s latest inquiry exploring how the UK can better support and attract international students, looking closely at the contributions international students make, the challenges they face, and how universities and regional partners can build a more sustainable, welcoming system for international education.
This follows a visit in May from Goksu Danaci, Students' Union President, and Shaban Chaudhary, Education Officer to Parliament. They joined other Russell Group Students’ Unions Sabbatical Officers to launch the RGSU International Students Research . They spoke to MPs and Lords about the positive contribution that international students make to UK universities and beyond, as well as the barriers they face through the immigration system.
Darcy represented UCL students in a productive and wide-ranging discussion that tackled issues such as:
- The rising cost of living for international students, including rent, visa fees and the Immigration Health Surcharge.
- Barriers to post-study work and regional retention, particularly the importance of the Graduate Route in allowing students to contribute their skills to the UK economy.
- Feelings of isolation and being treated as ‘cash cows’, a recurring theme from RGSU’s recent research into international student experiences.
- The need for universities to collaborate more effectively with local governments, employers and community groups to ensure international students feel welcome and supported throughout their time in the UK.
Darcy highlighted the pressures facing postgraduate international students in particular, including the recent changes to the Graduate Visa Route outlined in the Immigration White Paper published last month. She shared insights from UCL students and helped ensure your voice was heard by policymakers.
Following the roundtable, Darcy remarked:
“It was encouraging to see APPG for International Students listening directly to students and their representatives. We made it clear that international students are not just economic contributors, they are an essential part of our academic and cultural communities, and should get the support they deserve”
The inquiry’s findings will help shape evidence-based recommendations to the government on how to improve policy on immigration, higher education, and regional development.
Students’ Union UCL will continue working with the APPG, RGSU and national sector bodies to push for a more inclusive, fair and sustainable future for international students across the UK.