UK parliamentary debates on international students and migration: a discourse network analysis

Global student migration is a prominent issue in educational policy; one problematised by rising nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric. UK higher education operates within a politically and economically precarious environment. International students – who pay higher fees than domestic students – have become vital to the financial stability of universities and the broader UK economy. However, their growing numbers have also sparked criticism, particularly in relation to immigration concerns and perceived impacts on education quality. This study uses discourse network analysis to examine UK parliamentary debates from 2020 to 2023, a period shaped by Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. It identifies six key discursive categories in political debates on international students: (1) economic, (2) higher education culture, (3) quality, (4) UK reputation, (5) resources, and (6) a nexus of international students and broader migration issues. We analyse the actors and coalitions involved in these debates and how their positions evolved over time. Despite ongoing political tensions around migration and hostile government policies, we paradoxically find broad cross-party consensus on the positive role of international students in the UK. By mapping these shifting dynamics, this paper contributes to understanding the evolution of government policy and debates surrounding international students in post-Brexit Britain.