The United Kingdom experienced a notable decrease in study visa requests, reflecting a 13% reduction in the fiscal year concluding in January 2025. This decline is mainly linked to the new study visa regulations implemented in 2024, which have made it harder for international students to seek higher education in the UK.
As per the UK Home Office, in the fiscal year concluding January 2025, the total main applicants for study visas fell to 411,100, a decline from the year before. Furthermore, the volume of applications from students’ dependents dropped dramatically by 84%, resulting in just 21,500 applications collected in the year concluding January 2025.
The updated regulations, effective from January 2024, forbid students from bringing dependents, with the exception of those in postgraduate research programs or those on government-funded scholarships. This shift has probably played a role in the decrease in applications, as international students evaluate their choices and look into other locations for higher education.
Additional important results
- Sponsored study visas: In the year ending September 2024, a total of 392,969 sponsored study visas were issued to international students, indicating a 19% decline compared to the prior year.
- Dependent visas: The total visas provided to student dependents fell by 69% in the year ending September 2024, resulting in just 46,961 visas issued.
- Master’s degree programs: Almost two-thirds (61%) of student visas issued in the most recent year were for master’s degree programs.
- Indian and Nigerian citizens: The quantity of sponsored study visas issued to Indian and Nigerian citizens fell by 31% and 62%, respectively, in the year concluding September 2024.
The UK government has implemented three additional regulations for international students, targeting the reinforcement of the student visa system:
- Eliminating dependent rights: International students are no longer permitted to bring dependents, except if they are registered in postgraduate research programs or courses backed by government scholarships.
- Limiting work pathways: International students are no longer permitted to transition from the student route to work routes prior to finishing their studies.
- Assessing maintenance needs: The UK government is assessing the maintenance needs for students and their dependents.
These alterations are expected to greatly affect the UK’s higher education system, which has historically been a favored choice for international students. With the UK government further tightening its student visa policies, the impact on the nation’s status as a center for international education is yet to be determined.
