GOVERNMENT moves to curb the number of international students could bankrupt universities and drive up fees for British students, an immigration expert has warned. 

PM Rishi Sunak is said to be considering the idea of limiting foreign students taking “low-quality” degrees and their dependants entering the country, according to his spokesperson. 

The potential plans were revealed on Thursday in response to the release of figures showing net migration in Britain has reached record levels. 

However, a government adviser warned such plans risk sending “many universities over the edge,” especially in poorer regions.

Migration Advisory Committee chairman Professor Brian Bell told the BBC on Friday: “Most universities for most courses lose money on teaching British students and offset that loss by charging more for international students.

“If you close down the international route I’m not sure how the university continues to survive.”

He added that curbs could lead to a “massive increase” in British students’ fees to make up for the loss of foreign students’ payments. 

The plans suggest Mr Sunak is willing to follow through on plans put forward by Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who previously complained that foreign students are “bringing in family members who can piggyback onto their student visa.” 

The attacks on international students were revived this week after official figures showed net migration has climbed to over half a million, driven mostly by new humanitarian routes for Ukraine and Hong Kong and a rebound in foreign students. 

The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford has warned against politicians making major policy decisions based on the figures, arguing that the numbers arise from a “unique set of circumstances.”

“We cannot assume [the figures] represent a ‘new normal’,” the observatory said. “Some of the most important contributors to non-EU immigration are not expected to continue indefinitely, such as the arrival of Ukrainians.” 

Migrant rights campaigners said the targeting of international students was “another escalation of the hostile environment.” 

“The government’s recent attacks on students and their families make the UK a hostile place for them, and will only damage our universities and research sector as students will turn to other countries,” said Migrant Voice director Nazek Ramadan. 

“This is nothing but another escalation of the hostile environment, an attack on yet another category of migrants made in order to support this government’s toxic narrative against migration.”