PLANS for fresh curbs on overseas students could cause “severe and long-lasting damage” to Scottish universities, a principal has warned.

Professor Craig Mahoney, from the University of the West of Scotland (UWS), said the clampdown would damage the sector’s international ambitions and undermine competitiveness.

His comments came after Home Secretary Amber Rudd unveiled plans to restrict students coming to the UK and tailor immigration rules “to the quality of the course and the quality of the educational institution”.

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She told the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham earlier this week there had to be “tougher” regulation for students on “lower quality courses” and raised the prospect of English language tests for people coming to study here.

Universities UK estimates that international students contribute £7 billion to the national economy every year generating almost 137,000 jobs.

Professor Mahoney said: “Overseas students make an outstanding contribution economically, socially and culturally and international staff make a vital contribution to our universities and our country.

“At UWS internationalisation is a major priority for us as is attracting overseas students. Why should our aspirations be restricted?”

Professor Mahoney also questioned the Home Secretary’s suggestion that student immigration rules should be tailored to the “quality” of courses and institutions.

He said: “Any suggestion that only so-called 'good' courses or universities should be the focus of growth is confusing and requires clarification.

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“Every single university in the UK is externally validated so the quality of the product is not in doubt. Quality should also be judged on the impact the course has on the student’s life, or the benefit to the university’s local community.”

Professor Mahoney went on to argue the Government’s plans could undermine universities’ competitiveness on the world stage - particularly with the suggestion that British workers should be given the chance to apply for British jobs before firms are allowed to look abroad for staff.

He added: “Researchers from around the globe are attracted to UK universities because they do world-leading research. That affects universities’ ratings and is why the UK has so many universities in the world top rankings.

“The irony here is that the slogan 'British workers for British jobs' puts our status as a world leaders in higher education under threat.”

On Wednesday Ms Rudd unveiled a wide-ranging clampdown on migrants coming to the UK, with strict rules on foreign students as a key part.

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Under her plans, taxi drivers will have mandatory immigration checks, landlords could face jail if they let a flat to someone in the country illegally and more EU criminals would be deported.

She assured universities of her commitment to helping attract the best students, but said the current system too often “treated every student and university as equal”.