Commonwealth Students in the United Kingdom, 1940–1960: Student Welfare and World Status

Between 1940 and 1960, the British Government became increasingly concerned with the welfare of students coming to Britain from the dependent territories of the Commonwealth. The reasons were political, cultural, and economic. This essay traces the transition of official attitudes, from modest promotion to active policy. With the coming ‘end of Empire’, Britain chose a role that combined cooperation with the Commonwealth with future membership in the European community.