Universities UK poll on attitudes to immigration

Opinion poll about the immigration of university staff (scientists, academics and their support staff) into the UK

Almost nine in ten (87%) British adults say they most strongly agree that it is more important that the UK’s immigration system attracts university staff who are highly skilled than it being more important that the UK’s immigration system attracts university staff who are highly paid (3%).
Nine in ten (89%) British adults agree that scientists, academics and their support staff are valuable to the UK, with half (51%) saying they strongly agree. This compares to only three percent who disagree.
Almost nine in ten (85%) of British adults agree that it is important for the UK to be a world leader in science and research with over two in five (44%) who say they strongly agree. This compares to only five percent who disagree.
Four in five (82%) British adults agree that the UK should try to compete with other major economies to attract scientists, academics and their support staff, with two in five (39%) who say they strongly agree. This compares to only seven percent who disagree.
Four in five (80%) British adults agree that the UK’s immigration system should allow scientists, academics and their support staff to work in the UK at all stages of their career, with over one third (36%) saying they strongly agree. Less than one in ten (8%) disagree with this statement.

Date Published: 09/12/2019

Categories: Education | Public and communities | Social | UK

Client: Universities UK

Methodology

Savanta ComRes interviewed 4,042 British adults from the 22nd to 26th November 2019. Data were weighted to be demographically representative of Britain. Savanta ComRes is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.