UK Govt Announces To Deport Nigerian Students Over Poor Academic Grades

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) of the United Kingdom has proposed a new policy that could potentially prevent foreign students on two-year graduate visas from staying in the country if they do not achieve high grades.

VerseNews reports that this recommendation comes as part of the government’s larger plan to reduce net migration by 300,000 individuals.

Recent data shows a significant increase in the number of students granted these visas, with over 98,000 students being allowed to stay in the UK after graduating in June 2023.

This marks a 74 percent increase compared to the previous year, with an additional 42,000 students benefiting from this program.

“There are fears that it is being used as a backdoor route to work in the UK, often in low-skilled jobs, or simply to stay for two years as there is no requirement to take up employment,” it said.

Professor Brian Bell, the committee chairman, emphasized that there is presently no mandatory criterion for students to attain a specific grade in order to graduate.

According to him, “There’s no requirement to get particular grades in your university course or anything like that.

“That’s the question we want to review in the graduate route to think about whether that’s sensible or whether you should have a rule that says you have to achieve a certain grade or a certain kind of achievement in your course.”

Bell additionally stated that the committee will explore the possibility of implementing additional limitations on foreign students’ stay in the UK.

This may include restrictions that would only permit them to remain in the country if they attend specific universities or complete designated courses.

Furthermore, certain occupations or activities could also be subjected to potential limitations.