Investigation into social and economic impact of international students

The government is launching an investigation into the social and economic impact of international students in the UK.

The UK’s first publication of exit checks data is also being released with an account of the compliance of international students.

The UK stopped counting people in and out of the country in the 1990s, casting doubt on the accuracy of official immigration estimates, which are based on a random survey at points of entry.

A much-delayed new exit-check system was introduced in April 2015 with aim of building a more complete picture of whether those who entered the UK left when they were supposed to.

There has been particular focus on the large gap between estimates of arrivals and departures of foreign nationals who come to Britain to study.

The difference - which averaged about 110,000 a year between 2012 and 2015 - fuelled questions over whether students were remaining in the country beyond the end of their courses.

Long-term immigration of students to the UK was approximately 136,000 last year, with an estimated 63,000 emigrating to the country having originally gone there to study.

Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: "There is no limit to the number of genuine international students who can come to the UK to study, and the fact that we remain the second most popular global destination for those seeking higher education is something to be proud of.

"We understand how important students from around the world are to our higher education sector, which is a key export for our country, and that is why we want to have a robust and independent evidence base of their value and the impact they have."