Sharp decline in international students raises concerns about financial difficulties for UK universities
UK universities are globally renowned and are the second most popular study destination after the United States. However, visa restrictions have led to a significant decline in international students, raising concerns among higher education institutions.
Last week, the newly elected Labour Party government announced that the tuition fee cap will be raised to £9,535 starting next year, a move welcomed by universities that have long called for an increase. Universities are eager to enroll more foreign students to fill budget gaps, leading to a financial dependence on these students.
According to a parliamentary report, international students make up more than half of the total at universities like the University of the Arts London and Cranfield University in North London. Earlier this year, the Financial Times reported that some universities, including the University of York, have lowered admission standards to attract more international students.
In 2022, nearly 760,000 international students registered at universities across the UK, who primarily come from India, China, and Nigeria.
However, record-high immigration number and restrictions on issuing student visas have made it difficult for universities’ admissions. The number of student visas issued last year fell by 5%, and between July and September of this year, student visa applications decreased by 16% compared to the same period last year.
Official statistics show that the number of overseas applications in the first four months of this year was down by 30,000 compared to the same period last year. Since international students pay significantly higher tuition fees than UK students, this downward trend has raised concerns among higher education institutions.
For example, Leo Xui, a Chinese student studying at University College London (UCL) starting in September, should pay a tuition fee of £31,000 for this academic year. In contrast, UK students attending universities in England have been required to pay a maximum of £9,250 since 2017.
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