"Hello, I’m Bridget Philipson, the new Secretary of State for Education here in the UK.
I’ve spent my first month in the job resetting relationships across the length and breadth of education – including with international students.
That’s because my passion is for a Britain that looks outwards in optimism.
A Britain that builds bridges of friendship with other nations.
A Britain that values the contribution of international students.
I have a message for you:
If you meet the criteria for entry to a UK university and for entering the UK on a student visa, then the British government and the British people will welcome you.
If you’re joining us this year, then we can’t wait to see you in our university towns and cities soon.
I have such admiration for you. You take a leap of faith, to develop new skills and chase new horizons. And I am enormously proud that you want to take that leap here in the UK.
We will do everything we can to help you succeed.
That’s why we offer those of you who successfully complete an eligible course the opportunity to remain in the UK on a graduate visa for 2 years after your studies end – or 3 for PhDs – to work, to live, and to contribute.
And the UK is a fantastic place to come and study.
What better place to study science than the land of Charles Darwin, of Ada Lovelace and Alan Turing?
What better place to study English than the land of William Shakespeare, the Brontë sisters, and Zadie Smith?
And what better place to study music than the land of John Lennon, Stormzy, and Adele?
I want students to come from around the world and build bonds with their classmates here in the UK – because friendships between students become friendships between countries.
That’s what education is all about. Not just a force for good in people’s lives, but a force for good in our world.
So come and join us – and see for yourself!"
