Labour’s ‘change of tone’ revives foreign students’ interest in UK universities

‘The change in tone has come in the nick of time.’ New students arrive at the University of Surrey in Guildford. Photograph: Sam Oaksey/Alamy

Applications by international students to UK universities have been revitalised in a welcome boost for the sector’s ailing financial health by the Labour government’s “change of tone” on immigration since the general election.

Vice-chancellors and admissions officers said a rise in the number of inquiries about courses and feedback from overseas recruitment agents suggested that the change in the government’s stance since the 4 July election had been widely noticed by potential international students and their families.