UK Sees 13% Drop in Student Visas Issued, Figures Show.
The number of student visas issued by the UK Home Office dropped by 13% in the year ending June 2024 compared to the previous year. This decline, influenced by fewer applicants from India and Nigeria, reflects a significant shift in international student trends.
According to Home Office data released on August 22, 432,225 sponsored study visas were granted between July 2023 and June 2024. This is a decrease from 498,068 the previous year but still represents a 61% increase compared to 2019.
This decrease raises financial concerns for UK universities, which have become increasingly dependent on revenue from international students as domestic funding remains stagnant or declines.
Country-Specific Trends
The drop in student visas is notably driven by reductions in applications from India and Nigeria. Visas issued to Indian students fell by 23%, from over 142,500 in the previous year to just over 110,000. The decline is even sharper for Nigerian students, with visa numbers falling by 46% due to the economic challenges in Nigeria, making studying abroad more costly.
Master’s level courses were the most affected, with 270,460 visas issued in the year ending June 2024, down 17% from 326,385 the previous year.
Decline in Dependant Visas
The number of visas issued to dependants of students also saw a sharp decline. There were 94,253 dependant visas granted in the year ending June 2024, a 39% decrease from the previous year but still nearly six times higher than in 2019. In the first half of 2024, dependant visa grants fell by 81% compared to the same period in 2023.
Rebuilding the UK’s International Reputation
Jamie Arrowsmith, director of Universities UK International, highlighted the challenges faced by UK universities in international recruitment. He attributed the decline to uncertainty about the UK’s appeal to international students, the removal of dependent visas, economic conditions in key markets, and increased global competition.
Despite these challenges, Arrowsmith noted some positive developments, including a slight increase in recruitment since the general election. The Labour government has acted quickly to reassure international students of their welcome in the UK and the retention of the graduate route.
“To restore the UK’s reputation as a welcoming destination for international students, we need policy stability and continued positive messaging from the government,” Arrowsmith said.