Chevening scholars should be exempted from visa brake, say ResearchPlus and Russell Group

Published: 23 May 2026

ResearchPlus and the Russell Group have jointly written to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood urging the government to exempt Chevening scholarship holders from the "visa brake" policy, announced in March 2026, arguing that applying the restrictions to this cohort is neither necessary nor proportionate.

The two organisations – together representing 34 of the UK's leading research universities – acknowledge the importance of a robust immigration system and recognise ongoing concerns about asylum claims from individuals who previously held student visas. However, they argue that the visa brake as currently designed is a blunt instrument that doesn’t take into account the applicants' assessed risk profiles, and misses some of the government’s own policy objectives.

The scheme has operated for more than 40 years and plays a significant role in the UK's soft power and global influence. Twenty-two alumni have gone on to become heads of state and 15% hold prominent government positions in their home countries. Given that Chevening scholars are selected through a rigorous, government-led competitive process that evaluates academic merit, leadership potential, and the intention to return home after studies, the letter argues that a narrowly defined exemption would be a limited and proportionate step - one that reinforces rather than undermines the principle of fairness.

Both organisations, ResearchPlus and the Russell Group, have offered to work constructively with government as policy in this area continues to develop, noting that universities have direct operational insight into the student visa route.

Signed by the ResearchPlus Co-Chairs Professor Andrew Jones and Professor Sasha Roseneil alongside Russell Group Chief Executive Professor Libby Hackett, the letter is addressed to Rt Hon Shabana Mahmood MP and copied to the Secretaries of State for Education and for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.

Sasha Roseneil, Co-Chair of ResearchPlus, said:

"Twenty-two Chevening alumni have gone on to become heads of state - the programme's impact on UK soft power speaks for itself. Yet we risk turning away tomorrow's leaders by placing restrictions on outstanding scholars who have already passed the government's own rigorous selection process. A narrowly defined exemption for Chevening scholars is key to its future success".

Commenting, Libby Hackett, Chief Executive of the Russell Group said:

“We strongly support the government's prioritisation of a fair and robust approach to immigration and asylum. Russell Group universities take their part in this very seriously. However, non-targeted policy interventions that don’t properly account for risk, could jeopardise important opportunities for highly talented students - and ultimately undermine the UK’s national interests.

Chevening Scholars have shown themselves to be exceptionally talented individuals who use their education in the UK to make invaluable contributions in their home countries. We should be making every effort to attract and support these students, not creating more barriers for them”.

The full letter can be read here and the original Independent article can be read here.