Recent statistics from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) reveal a decline in applications from Indian students to British universities for courses this year. While overall international applications saw a slight increase of 0.7%, applications from India to British universities witnessed a 4% drop.
This comes even as applications from China saw a 3% increase, albeit on a smaller base number of applicants.
The reason for this decline is attributed to various factors, including ongoing reviews announced by the Rishi Sunak-led government into the Graduate Route visa, which allows graduates to stay and gain work experience for at least two years after their degree.
The UK’s relook at the education policy for international students is potentially turning them away from applying to British universities.
Additionally, recent restrictions on bringing dependents on government-funded scholarships may have deterred some students from pursuing education in the UK.
“It’s very sad for students back in India to read that Britain doesn’t want them as migrants,” Amit Tawari, president of the Indian National Students Union Association, was quoted by The Telegraph of UK as saying.
“When a British student goes to America to study, he or she is not a migrant, they are a student. But any international student coming here is considered a migrant. That’s a bit crazy,” Amit Tawari added.
Despite these challenges, there remains a range of options for prospective students, with support available through platforms like UCAS to help navigate the application process, the UK admissions service said.
The UCAS figures show the overall number of international students for undergraduate places increased by 0.7%, but Nigerians and Indians were leading a downward trend after record increase in recent times.
Applications from India fell to 8,770, a drop of 4%, compared to the previous year, and from Nigeria to 1,590, a fall of 46%.
That the change in immigration policy was behind the drop was revealed by Cynthia Tewogbade, student welfare coordinator for the Nigerian Student Union UK.
“The new dependency policy is the main reason why students are now enrolling at universities in other countries like Australia, Canada and in Europe,” she told The Telegraph.
“UK higher education remains attractive globally, with a 0.7% increase in international applicants. The highest increases are China (3%, 910 applicants), Turkey (37%, 710 applicants), and Canada (14%, 340 applicants). There has been a decrease in applicants from Nigeria (-46%) and India (-4%),” the UCAS data for this year showed.
The Home Office has commissioned the independent Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to review this post-study work visa, as it is commonly referred to.
In the student visa category, Indian nationals represent the largest group of students granted leave to remain on this route, making up 43% of grants last year.
“While today’s data shows a decline in applications from mature students, which will be more keenly felt in some subjects such as nursing, we know that these applicants are more likely to apply later in the cycle,” said Jo Saxton, Chief Executive at UCAS.
“For any students who missed the deadline or are still undecided on their next steps into higher education, they can still apply until June 30, and afterward directly to Clearing, and plenty of choices still remain. There is a wealth of support, guidance, and tips on the UCAS website to help anyone make informed choices about their futures,” she said.