UK Higher Education Hit Hard by 28% Drop in International Student Applications Amid Visa Restriction

London: Universities of the United Kingdom  are experiencing a significant drop in international student applications for the upcoming academic year, leading to potential financial challenges. Recent data from the Home Office indicates a 28% decrease in applications for sponsored study visas, with only 28,200 applications received in June 2024 compared to 38,900 in June 2023.

Typically, the majority of student visa applications are submitted during the summer months, leading universities to remain hopeful for an improvement by September. However, data from The Guardian suggests that the sector will continue to struggle. Enroly, a service that assists international students with university enrolments, reported a 41% decline in deposits and acceptances by international students at 31 UK universities up to the end of July.

Also Read: UK's India Young Professional Scheme Visa 2nd Ballot Entry Begins Today, Here's How To Apply

The decline is particularly severe in postgraduate taught master’s courses, which saw a 55% decrease compared to last year, while undergraduate numbers fell by 23%. This downturn is concerning as many UK universities rely heavily on income from international tuition fees, with domestic tuition fees in England remaining frozen.

Jeff Williams, CEO of Enroly, noted that international student recruitment has been on a downward trend since the beginning of the year. If Enroly’s figures reflect the broader sector, about 150,000 fewer international students will arrive on UK campuses this autumn. This is particularly alarming considering that, in the 2021-22 academic year, over 240,000 full-time international students were starting postgraduate courses and 104,000 were undergraduates.

The decline in international student numbers is attributed to several factors, including visa restrictions implemented by the previous government. Since January, international students enrolled in taught postgraduate or undergraduate courses have been unable to bring family members or dependents with them on a student visa. This policy change has significantly impacted the appeal of UK universities to international students.

The financial implications of this downturn are severe, with many universities already feeling the strain. The reduced number of international students means a significant loss of revenue from tuition fees, which could lead to budget cuts and other financial measures.

As the situation develops, universities are closely monitoring the application trends and adjusting their strategies to mitigate the financial impact. The hope is that the situation will improve by September, but current data suggests that UK higher education institutions will face continued challenges in the coming months.