A recent report on the stability of the higher education sector in England has indicated that Indian students are increasingly discouraged from applying to UK universities, exacerbating their financial challenges at a time when educational institutions are already facing budgetary constraints.
According to an analysis by the Office for Students (OfS), which utilized data from the UK Home Office regarding confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) from 2022-23 to 2023-24, there has been a notable 20.4 percent decrease in the number of Indian students, dropping from 139,914 to 111,329. Indian student organizations in the UK have expressed that this decline was anticipated due to limited employment opportunities and safety concerns following recent anti-immigration protests in various cities.
The OfS report highlights a significant reduction in student visa applications from potential non-UK students in key source countries. It reveals an overall 11.8 percent decrease in the total number of sponsor acceptances issued to international students, with substantial variations among different nationalities. The most pronounced declines were observed in the CAS issued to Indian and Nigerian students, which fell by 28,585 (20.4 percent) and 25,897 (44.6 percent), respectively.
The report cautions that universities relying heavily on students from countries such as India, Nigeria, and Bangladesh may face considerable challenges due to this downward trend.
The Office for Students (OfS) has indicated a notable decline in the number of international students from specific countries that traditionally send large contingents to the UK.
“By the academic year 2025-26, if current trends persist without substantial remedial measures, we project a net income decline for the sector amounting to GBP 3,445 million. Furthermore, in the absence of significant interventions, we anticipate a sector-wide deficit of GBP 1,636 million, with as many as 72 percent of providers potentially facing deficits and 40 percent experiencing low liquidity,” the report states.
The Indian National Students’ Association (INSA) UK expressed that the considerable drop in Indian students was expected, attributing it to the government’s restrictions on foreign students bringing their dependent partners and spouses.
“Under the new regulations, students are prohibited from bringing their partners to the UK. Given the current economic climate and recent reports of unrest, unless the government addresses this matter, the future for UK universities appears grim, as they depend significantly on Indian students,” remarked Amit Tiwari, President of INSA UK.
In recent years, Indian nationals have surpassed Chinese nationals as the predominant group receiving study visas for the UK and represent the largest segment utilizing the Graduate Route post-study work visa, which has recently been confirmed to remain in place following a review.
Numerous factors are contributing to the decrease in numbers, such as the Conservative government’s prohibition on dependents, uncertainty surrounding the post-study work visa, rising salary thresholds for skilled workers, and a noticeable scarcity of job opportunities in the UK, stated Sanam Arora, chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK.
“We have identified the extent of misinformation that continues to exist; for the first time, concerns regarding safety are also being highlighted… It is imperative for universities to effectively communicate the opportunities available in the UK to address the ongoing confusion in India,” she remarked.
“Furthermore, universities must make substantial investments in their employability support services to remain competitive and offer a comprehensive, outcome-focused experience for students,” she concluded.
