Durham Vice-Chancellor Calls Incoming International Student Levy ‘Absolute Insanity’

Durham University Vice-Chancellor Karen O’Brien has condemned the UK Government’s incoming levy on international students, describing the policy as “absolute insanity”.

Call for the levy to be withdrawn

O’Brien criticised the proposed measure and urged the Government to “take the levy off the table”, according to Palatinate.

The comments were reported on 28 July 2026 in a Palatinate article by Abigail Tobias. The report identifies O’Brien as Durham’s Vice-Chancellor but does not provide further details about the levy, including its start date, value or how it would affect international students at Durham University.