International Students Taskforce: Annual update

The Chartered ABS launched its International Students Taskforce in May 2025 in response to growing pressures facing UK business schools, including declining international student enrolments, policy changes affecting the UK's attractiveness as a study destination, and increasing global competition. The Taskforce, chaired by Professor Michael Mainelli, was established to gather evidence and undertake policy analysis to support our advocacy on the value of international students and UK business schools.

Country Competitor Analysis

In October 2025, we published  International Students: Country Competitor Analysis, which examines the competitive pressures facing UK business schools from institutions across Europe, the US, and Asia.

The analysis found that the UK’s competitive position remains strong, with several advantages contributing to its status as a leading study destination. The UK ranks highly for academic reputation, attractiveness as a place to study, safety, and the availability of professional qualifications and accreditations. However, recent government policy changes, including the ban on dependants’ visas, and the forthcoming shortening of the duration of the Graduate Route and introduction of an international student levy, pose a significant risk to the UK’s attractiveness as a study destination.

Professor Mainelli explored the findings and their implications further in a recent blog for HEPI.

Forthcoming work

The Taskforce has two further projects underway:

A major economic impact report on the value of international business and management students to constituencies across the UK. This will be the first analysis of its kind on business students, and will provide local and regional data for use in our advocacy work. This report will be published at our Annual Conference in November 2026.

Gathering evidence of examples of soft power and export-led growth involving international students in the UK to develop a positive narrative to government on the benefits received by all stakeholders. We will be contacting our members to collect case study evidence on impactful international graduates and high-profile alumni.

Taskforce members

• Professor Michael Mainelli, Z/Yen Group, London Chamber of Commerce & Industry (Chair)

• Ann Francke OBE, CMI

• Heather Knight, UKCISA

• Catherine McGuinness, City St George's University

• Lord David Gold, House of Lords/ESCP Business School

• Louise Graham, ACCA

• Stephen Isherwood, Institute of Student Employers

• Professor Sergei Guriev, London Business School

• Dr Scott Bambrick, Keele Business School

• Professor Marian Garcia, Aston Business School

• Dr Abdul Jabbar, Leicester Business School, University of Leicester

• Daniel Baxter, Glasgow School for Business & Society, Glasgow Caledonian University

• Ian Thomas, Faculty of Business and Law, De Montfort University

• James Norman, The Manchester Metropolitan University

• Dr Mazia Yassim, Westminster Business School, University of Westminster

• Dr Patricio Sanchez-Campos, University of Nottingham Business School

• Vincenzo Raimo, Independent HE Consultant