Some believe they are dished out as frequently and subconsciously as union flyers on the Concourse.
Truth be told, there is indeed a growing number of international students joining UK universities.
Almost 1.5million student visas were handed out by the Labour Government in the past few years, a staggering number indeed.
The University of Sheffield boasts just under 3,700 international and non-EU students from 120 different countries.
Labour now vow to “crack down” on the “rampant abuse of the foreign student visa regime”, saying that one visa being issued every two minutes is too much.
Perhaps there should be some tightening, but are we forgetting the importance of international students in the money-minded Higher Education sector?
In the case of Newcastle University, some of their overseas students pay £13,765 a year to study. Putting myself in the shoes of a university vice-chancellor, I would be stupid to say no.
Little may we realise, but international students bring in huge revenue to British universities, so much so that they probably would be unable to function properly without them.
After the Christmas Day bomber, worries over the relaxation of the rules reached crescendo. But there are always rules which cause division.
Damaging relationships with international students would have more than financial repercussions, though.
Cultural bonds, influence and understanding which often comes with overseas students will also be lost, and the future of our universities may well be in jeopardy.
Foreign students are now becoming alienated and essentially demonised. But in the eyes of a nationalist, this might be justified.
We are officially out of recession, but many universities still face rejecting a record number of applicants this summer.
So in the view of some people, cutting more places for British pupils and handing them to foreign students who pay higher fees will not sit well.
It is a shame, but the universities are left with little choice.
They are now more focused on financial gain, cultural interlinks and benefits which come with foreign students, meaning British pupils are no longer primed for British university places.
Those in secondary education in Britain must work as hard they can. Those who put the most effort in are more likely to be accepted on a university course than those who don’t. And rightly so.
In addition, if we as a nation continue to alienate our foreign students, fewer will be obliged to want to study here. No one wants to come to a new country and have a finger pointed at them.
On arriving at university I found it quite intimidating, and was definitely out of my comfort zone for a little while.
I can only imagine the upheaval international students are put through.
Sheffield is great in that it does its very best to welcome all foreign students with all sorts of orientation programmes in intro week.
It is sad, though, to think that this may just be on offer for such students to pass on their stories of success back home, encouraging friends and family to apply to the University and ultimately gain it more revenue.
But, universities are facing bigger deficits than ever, which would be made worse with fewer , foreign students applying and paying inflated fees.
Foreign students have not just benefited us financially, but allow us multiple opportunities to engage in cultures which make universities such as Sheffield an enriching and influential institution.
Overseas students contribute greatly to this country.
And without them, our universities would not be where they are today.