SUMS Consulting at the Westminster Higher Education Forum policy conference

We are pleased to announce that SUMS Consultant Jennifer Sloan will be joining the morning panel session of the Westminster Higher Education Forum policy conference: International Student Levy, recruitment and provider sustainability.

This discussion will explore how universities can prepare for the implementation of the International Student Levy and assess its implications for institutional finances, recruitment strategies and long-term sustainability. Together with expert panellists, Jen will consider the future role of international fee income in supporting financial resilience and investment priorities, while examining how institutions can respond to evolving recruitment patterns, changing market conditions and increasing global competition. The session will also address student demand, affordability and decision-making across different international markets, alongside approaches to course and country portfolio planning, recruitment forecasting, and balancing responsible recruitment practices with institutional resilience.

Westminster Higher Education Forum policy conference

This conference will examine next steps for international students in higher education in the UK, following reform to student migration, recruitment, student protections and provider compliance. It will bring stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss policy priorities and the implications of reform for university finances, student demand and institutional planning following publication of The UK’s International Education Strategy in January 2026, introduction of the revised student sponsor compliance framework in June 2026, and publication of draft legislation for the International Student Levy in July 2026.