Support for international students was "almost unanimous" as politicians, policymakers and industry stakeholders gathered in March at the Westminster Legal Policy Forum to discuss the priorities for the UK's future immigration policy.

Students, business leaders, academics and politicians demonstrate against the UK government's policy of including international students in migration figures.

UK home secretary keen to remove international students from net migration count according to press reports, amid concerns on post-Brexit immigration bill.

The Home Office could be targeting international students who don’t exist in its attempt to drive down net migration figures, according to the IPPR.

The Brexit vote could provide an opportunity for stakeholders to change attitudes about international students in the country, delegates were told at the UKCISA conference.

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, has given the first hint that the UK government will take non-EU overseas students out of net migration figures, a battleground issue among education stakeholders, business owners and the UK’s Home Office.

Study UK members estimate that they will lose £7m this year due to student visa changes, the association has said. It has signed a statement condemning the changes that came into force this week.

UK Prime Minister David Cameron said last week that the Migration Advisory Committee will be suggesting to the government how to cut down the number of non-EU migrant workers.