UK Study Visa’s Down 5% Despite Warnings
The UK has witnessed a decline in sponsored study visas for the first time since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2023.
According to new statistics released by the Home Office, there was a notable 5% drop in the number of sponsored study visas granted to main applicants compared to the preceding year.
This decline marks a shift in the trajectory of international student mobility, with a total of 457,673 sponsored study visas approved for main applicants throughout the year.
The declining trend aligns with warnings issued by UUK.
Despite the decrease from 2022 figures, the total number of sponsored study visas remains substantially higher, reflecting a remarkable 70% increase since 2019.
However, concerns arise as the recent data indicates a significant downturn in demand for UK study visas, particularly evident in the third and fourth quarters of 2023.
The declining trend in study visa grants aligns with warnings issued by Universities UK (UUK), highlighting a substantial decrease in study visa issuances across 60 UK universities, with some witnessing drops as significant as 33%.
Additionally, enrolment in postgraduate taught courses experienced a notable decline of over 40% based on a survey conducted among 70 universities.
The decline is cause for real concern among many UK universities.
This downward trajectory is a cause for concern among admissions teams, who are under pressure to recruit international students to support university operations, including funding for domestic student places.
Notably, higher education institutions accounted for 90% of sponsored study visa applications in 2023.
The statistics also show that grants of extensions into sponsored study routes for main applicants decreased by 15% to 41,359 in 2023.
Further analysis reveals a decline in grants of extensions into sponsored study routes for main applicants, with a notable 15% decrease in 2023 compared to the previous year.
Among these extensions, Chinese and Indian nationals constituted significant proportions, reflecting shifting trends in international student demographics.
The downward trajectory is affecting key markets.
Since the governments has restricted the right to bring partners and dependents, key markets such as India and Nigeria have experienced declines in study visa grants, reflecting changes in prospective students' preferences following said policy adjustments.
While China witnessed a slight increase in study visas granted, a report released last year from the International Higher Education Commission warns that the overreliance on one-year masters students could cause high operational risks for the UK sector.
Utilisation of the graduate visa route.
Despite challenges posed by the decline in study visas, there has been a notable 57% increase in graduate route extensions, signalling opportunities for international students to pursue post-study work opportunities in the UK.
However, the government announced a review into the two-year visa option for international graduates to “prevent abuse” and “protect the integrity and quality of the UK’s outstanding higher education sector” in early December.
The Migration Advisory Committee is expected to continue the review of the route into ‘late 2024’.
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