The United Kingdom (UK) has seen a continuous decline in Student visa applications in 2024.
The recent Home Office data shows a 14 percent drop in October 2024 Student visa applications compared to the same month last year.
This trend has been ongoing due to changes in immigration policy implemented at the start of the year.
Many universities, especially those that rely on international students for vital funding, have raised the alarm.
Sharp decline in Student visa applications
In October 2024, the UK Home Office reported around 8,900 Student visa applications, a 14 percent drop compared to October 2023.
It also showed only 1,300 dependants of Student visa applications in October, the lowest monthly total since at least January 2022.
From January to October 2024, there were only 19,100 dependant applications from students, down 85 percent from 2023.
Overall, from January to October 2024, there were 359,600 Student visa applications, marking a 16 percent decline compared to the same period last year.
It aligns with the fewer study visa applications made between July and September this year than in the same period in 2023.
Those months indicate the potential number of enrollees for the school year, which is alarming for universities.
Louise Tweedie, a higher education specialist at RSM, told Times Higher Education how this decline affects educational institutions.
“This is a significant income loss for the sector and will hit some institutions hard, especially those impacted by the changing profile of home students,” she said.
Despite a drop in international student applications, the UK Government has approved a £285 tuition increase starting in October 2025.
This is the first England university fee increase, ending an eight-year freeze that began in 2017.
The decision aims to address the funding crisis in the education sector, worsened by stagnant fees and rising inflation costs.
New Student visa policies under scrutiny
The drop in Student visa numbers has been linked to stricter immigration rules introduced earlier this year.
In January 2024, the UK Government barred most international students from bringing family members.
Only those pursuing research-based degrees or government-backed scholarships can bring dependants to the UK.
International students are also prohibited from shifting to work visas until they finish their course.
Starting January 2024, student visa applicants must meet a higher minimum income requirement.
The UK Government will also regulate international student recruitment, sanctioning them if their recruits fail to pass visa checks or enroll.
Additionally, it is working on limiting remote learning classes and reviewing English language assessments.
These measures were part of broader efforts to reduce net migration, which peaked in 2022 at 765,000.
They are designed to ensure that international students come here for high-quality education and not use it as a backdoor to working in the UK.
However, critics argue that these changes have made the UK less attractive to international students.
UK leads in sponsored study visas
The Standard highlighted that the UK could remain a strong player in the global education market.
In 2023, the UK issued 457,673 sponsored study visas, outpacing the United States’ (US) 442,000 visas in the same category.
For international students, the UK ranked first among all Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Member States.
This achievement underscores the UK’s appeal as a study destination, especially for students from India and Nigeria.
However, the recent policy changes raise concerns that the UK’s position could weaken.
This could be a threat, especially when countries like the US, Canada, and Australia adopt more welcoming policies.
Humanitarian visas on the rise
While Student visa numbers are falling, the UK has seen a dramatic rise in humanitarian visas.
In 2023, the country issued 65,000 new refugee visas, a 172 percent increase from the previous year.
This growth represents the sharpest rise among OECD countries.
Still, the UK remains fourth on the list of host countries for refugees, behind Germany, the US, and Canada,
Germany granted approximately 40,000 new refugee visas; the US issued 101,000; Canada provided 75,000 in 2023.
Family migration rose to 373,000, a 60 percent increase from 2022, as many dependants accompanied those who came to work or study in the UK.
The increase in refugee visas reflects changing immigration priorities, which some critics say may detract from attracting international students.
Balancing priorities
The rise in humanitarian visas highlights the country’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.
However, universities are urging the government to consider the long-term economic benefits of attracting international students.
Universities are still trying to find their financial footing against dropping Student visa applications.
Additionally, the effects of the first tuition increase in nearly a decade on Student visa applications remain to be seen.
The education sector watches closely if these changes will help or discourage international applicants.
The following year will be crucial in determining whether the UK can maintain its position as a global leader in higher education.