The government's plans to restructure the visa programme might mean that 700,000 international students in the UK could have to depart the nation as soon as they graduate.

Graduates can live and work in the UK for a few years following their education under the existing policy, but this might alter and affect students like Alessandra Abouzahr.

The Lebanese American who studies at the London Business School (LBS) originally arrived in the UK on a work visa and later switched to a student visa when she started her MBA on the basis that she could stay for a few years post-graduation.

However, this is no longer guaranteed.

While attending a school like LBS is a great entry point in general into the London job market, further visa restrictions could mean less opportunities for foreigners from across the world, Abouzahr said.

Restrictions on foreign students have already been tightened when the government banned them from bringing any family members with them unless they are studying for a PHD.

According to data from Universities UK, which represents 73 universities, the number of foreign students enrolled at UK universities dropped by 44 percent this January.

As university finances rely heavily on foreign students, who pay significantly higher fees than British citizens, the higher education sector is also facing a funding crisis.

This prompted an independent regulator office for students to warn that 40 percent of universities will end the year in financial deficit.

“Foreign students in our view are incredibly important. They bring really obvious advantages such as diversity, different educational systems, academic excellence. They absolutely support economy,” Diana Morant, Head of School and University Consultancy, William Clarence said.

Earlier this month, a government commissioned report said Britain should avoid further restricting international student numbers or some universities may collapse.

The Migration Advisory Committee, an independent body which gives the government advice, said the number of international postgraduate students paying deposits to study at British universities this September had dropped by 63 percent, compared with the previous year, after the government put restrictions on education visas.

Britain boasts some of the most famous and sought after universities in the world, from Oxford and Cambridge to Imperial College London. Business leaders argue that they boost innovation, increase creativity and provide a form of soft power, as many world leaders have studied at British colleges.

The government commissioned the review after concerns that the graduate visa route was being abused.