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Foreign students 'face ban on studying sensitive subjects at British universities' amid security fears

Arrows mark a one way walking system at UCL: AP
Arrows mark a one way walking system at UCL: AP

Large numbers of foreign postgraduate students reportedly face being barred from studying certain subjects at British universities.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) will from Thursday “expand the remit” of its security vetting for any foreign postgraduates applying to study a subject relating to national security, according to The Times.

Subjects to be covered by the wider vetting will include include "advanced conventional military technology", such as aircraft and cyber. They may also include artificial intelligence, chemistry, physics, maths, computer science and a range of engineering courses.

From next month, applicants will also have to disclose any military connections.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is among ministers reported to support the move (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab is among ministers reported to support the move (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The move comes after widespread concerns around intellectual property (IP) theft by students at the UK’s top research labs.

Chinese students in particular have been accused of IP theft in both the UK and the US. The FBI director has accused Beijing of using some "students in the US as non-traditional collectors of our intellectual property".

A recent report from think tank, the Henry Jackson Society, found that 900 graduates of Chinese universities allegedly linked to the People's Liberation Army are enrolled in postgraduate studies at 33 British universities with serious research arms.

In 2018-19 Chinese students accounted for 12 per cent of all postgraduates studying at UK universities. Hundreds could face being blocked from taking up places going forward.

The Times reported comments from a Whitehall source (PA)
The Times reported comments from a Whitehall source (PA)

Ministers at the national security committee reportedly signed off plans for the stricter vetting earlier this year. Visas already granted may be revoked after new vetting.

Currently, non-UK citizen postgraduate students applying to study sensitive subjects must get a certificate under the academic technology approval scheme (Atas).

Applicants from the European Economic Area, America, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and Singapore are exempt.

A Whitehall source told The Times: "The Atas system is being expanded as security threats are constantly evolving. It's no surprise that we attract some of the brightest talents from around the world but there are those who would seek to exploit our position as a leader in science and innovation. Today's changes will help to further protect our national security interests."

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