Mr Baty said: “International students are hugely important to the health of the UK higher education system and the wider economy. They spend about £4.5 billion on tuition fees and accommodation alone, but they also add much to the overall student experience by supporting a rich, multicultural campus life for all students. But this vital lifeline is increasingly at risk – for the first time this year the UK saw international student numbers stagnate, with significant drops from some countries."