UK universities are responding to a significant 16 percent decrease in overseas students by lowering entry requirements to attract more local applicants. This decline stems from recent changes to the UK’s visa rules, which have made it more difficult for international students to obtain student visas and nearly impossible for them to bring family members.
With fewer overseas students enrolling, universities are losing out on the higher tuition fees that these students typically pay. As a result, institutions are exploring alternative ways to fill their classrooms, leading to a reduction in the A-level grades previously deemed acceptable for entry.
According to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas), which manages applications for UK universities, many prospective students are aware of this shift. They are now waiting for spots in prestigious institutions, even if they do not meet the usual qualifications. Jo Saxton, Ucas’s chief executive, noted that many students are rejecting offers that align with their qualifications in favor of more competitive schools.
“Some vice-chancellors have noticed this behavior,” Saxton explained. “Selective institutions have expressed a desire to keep options open for these students.”
This trend could result in top-tier universities accepting students who are slightly less qualified, while lower-ranking institutions may struggle to fill their seats as qualified applicants bypass them.
The UK government recently reported that changes to visa regulations, implemented by the former Conservative Party administration, have led to an 80 percent drop in the number of dependents arriving with international students. This number fell from 32,900 in the first quarter of 2023 to just 6,700 in the same period this year. Additionally, visa applications from overseas students decreased from 39,900 to 35,000 in the same timeframe.
Under the new rules, only PhD students are permitted to bring family members with them. Furthermore, international students can no longer switch from a student visa to a work visa after completing their studies, making the UK a less attractive option for many.
The current Labour Party government, which took office on July 4, has not yet indicated whether it plans to revise the visa rules it inherited.