A proposed 6% levy on international tuition fees, stricter visa rules, and a reduced Graduate Route are reshaping the future of international students in the UK, leaving many at King’s College London (KCL) uncertain about their ability to stay and work in the country after graduation.
In May 2025, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer presented his ‘Restoring Control over the Immigration System’ white paper as a response to what he described as widespread public concern over the impact of immigration on housing, public services, and political trust. In the same statement, the prime minister declared, “the experiment [in open borders] is over.”
The white paper sets out decisions that will directly impact 23% of all students at UK universities – international students – with some reforms already implemented and others still being debated.
According to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, the government’s immigration white paper proposals aim to “replace a broken immigration system with one that prioritises contribution, integration, and respect for the British sense of fair play”.
King’s recently ranked as the twelfth most international university globally, with around half of its student body holding study visas. Any significant change to the visa or fee system could therefore have wide-ranging implications for both KCL students and the University.
Among the most contentious measures is the redefinition of the Graduate Route Visa. Introduced in 2021 to allow graduates two years in the UK to find work, its duration is now set to be cut to 18 months following a government rapid review.
King’s students told Roar they are worried that they will have less time to secure stable employment and transition into a Skilled Worker visa.
Financial requirements for incoming international students have also risen. Since July 2025, applicants must show significantly higher proof of funds, as an 11% increase was imposed.
Students applying to study in London now must demonstrate an income of £1,483 per month, totalling £13,247, while those outside London must show £1,136 per month, £10,224 annually.
The proposed 6% levy on international tuition fees, first floated in May 2025 and still under consideration, may emerge as one of the most significant barriers for non-British students.
At King’s, where international students make up more than half of the student body in some faculties, the measure could reshape academic priorities and enrolment patterns.
A survey of 21 King’s international students showed the extent of uncertainty:
- 90.5% said the reforms made them feel less secure about remaining in the UK after graduation.
- 95.2% felt the country was becoming less welcoming overall.
When asked what they wished policymakers understood about their contribution, one student said, “Our financial contribution is enormous compared to home students, and we also want a return on this investment by having a secure future in the country – especially after spending several years contributing to the economy and building a life here.”
KCL said in a statement that it was “proud to have international students from all over the world” and that the University would remain “a welcoming, inclusive and supportive place for everyone”, even under new regulations.
But several students have expressed doubts about what “KCL’s real answer” is going to be and how far universities can shield them from policy change at the national level.
Framed by the government as “the biggest overhaul of the legal migration model in 50 years,” these reforms have created a climate of uncertainty across university campuses. Many describe the experience as being caught in a system that, while relying on their economic and academic contributions, according to a student, “seems reluctant towards [their] very presence”.
