Leading universities have urged Shabana Mahmood to exempt outstanding students in some conflict-stricken countries from a draconian visa ban.
Some 34 universities, represented by higher-education associations the Russell Group and ResearchPlus, have written to the home secretary to plead for an exception for Chevening scholars, taking part in a government-funded programme that enables outstanding emerging leaders from around the world to do a one-year master’s degree in the UK.