Universities are urging the government to act proportionately as ministers consider changing an exemption that allows international students enrolled on research master’s (MRes) courses to bring family members with them.

While these courses were spared from the widespread ban on dependant visas that came into force in January 2024, ߣߣ��Ƶ understands that the Home Office is considering changing this rule to crack down on apparent abuse by some universities. 

Although details of the policy are not known, there are fears within the sector that a rise in MRes students bringing dependants at a small number of higher education institutions could stoke an outright ban.

These students were originally exempted as those on research courses are seen as highly skilled and enrolment numbers are much lower than for taught degrees. PhD students are also allowed to bring their families. 

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But sources have suggested that the government is monitoring several institutions that have seen a surge in students enrolling on these courses, despite not recruiting significant numbers to them prior to the ban – with some in the sector accusing these universities of exploiting the loophole in the policy.

Universities UK has told its members to stop growing their MRes numbers further, and its president Malcolm Press warned the issue has “the potential to undermine the sector’s position as a trusted and responsible partner in the UK’s immigration system”.

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A previous investigation by THE uncovered adverts for research courses that stressed applicants would be eligible to bring family members with them, with little mention of any academic benefits. 

In the year ending June 2025, some 1 were issued to dependants of individuals on study visas – 81 per cent fewer than the previous year.

Sources also suggested there is a link between institutions that have increased enrolment to their MRes courses and asylum claims from individuals at those universities, although there are no up-to-date public statistics on either data point.

Reducing the number of asylum claims has become a flagship target for the Labour government as it seeks to counter rising support for Reform UK. 

Recent figures show over 14,000 individuals who entered the UK on a study visa went on to claim asylum in the past year, although it is not known how long after they entered the country the claim was made. Universities say, in some cases, individuals may have made the claims long after graduating. 

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Ben Moore, head of policy (international) at the Russell Group, said the organisation was “aware of concerns about the rapid growth of MRes courses at a handful of institutions not being in the spirit of the rules” but warned that blanket restrictions could “put a valuable pipeline of [research and development] skills at risk”.

“Research master’s courses are a small part of the offer at research-intensive universities, but they are longstanding programmes critical to building our future research workforce. This comprises both UK and overseas talent – and of course includes postgraduate students who may have young families.” 

Press, also vice-chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said the government had made it clear that it was monitoring the growth of such courses and associated dependant visas.

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He pointed to new requirements which were included in the sponsor guidance issued to universities that allow regulators “to monitor changes in provision and, where necessary, to act where concerns are identified”.

UUK’s urging of members to stop recruiting more students “highlights the seriousness with which we treat government concerns,” Press said.

But he said there was a continuing decline in dependant numbers which were now 85 per cent below 2023 figures.

“We would therefore urge government to continue working with us and to use the targeted interventions that were incorporated into the regulatory framework to address this issue – rather than imposing further blanket restrictions unnecessarily."

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The Department for Education and the Home Office declined to comment.

helen.packer@timeshighereducation.com