THE United Kingdom has disclosed plan of increasing its number of international students to 600,000 in the next 10 years to the Kingdom.

This, it said, would be done through a two-year policy visa extension for foreign students in British universities after graduation.

British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, disclosed this on Wednesday, stating that the policy was aimed at increasing student’s chances of finding long-term employment after studying.

In 2018, UK universities produced around 460,000 international students, excluding those from within the European Union. The government aims to increase the number to 600,000 over the next 10 years, The Guardian reports.

Johnson said the policy would take effect from 2020, recruiting talented graduates in disciplines such as mathematics, engineering, and technology, regardless of their skills or subject they studied.

The chief executive of universities UK, Alistair Jarvis,  said the past visa system kept the country at a “competitive disadvantage” in recruiting international students.

“The introduction of a two-year post-study work visa is something universities UK has long campaigned for and we strongly welcome this policy change, which will put us back where we belong as a first-choice study destination.

“Not only will a wide range of employers now benefit from access to talented graduates from around the world, but these students also hold lifelong links with the UK,” Jarvis said.

The Education Secretary,Gavin Williamson, said International students benefit the country, contributing to the cultural and economical system Britain.

“…which is why we’ve increased the period of time these students can remain in the UK after their studies,” stated.

“Our universities thrive on being open global institutions. Introducing the graduate route ensures our prestigious higher education sector will continue to attract the best talent from around the world to global Britain,” he said.