British Council predicts a decrease in international student numbers in the UK
Immigration rules, a strong pound, and a growing US education market mean overseas student figures will decline, as the government pledges to cut migration.
For the first time since before the COVID-19 pandemic, international student numbers are set to decline due to various factors including the UK government tightening immigration rules, as stated by the British Council.
In the British Council’s paper released on Thursday, it was mentioned that “Inbound student mobility to the UK could decline in 2024 for the first time since the pandemic due to a combination of mostly cyclical headwinds. But this is a natural correction that will put the UK back on its long-term pre-Covid growth trajectory.”
The British Council also explained that the decline is due to cyclical trends such as the reemergence of the American education market and a strong pound. Migration policy is also playing a role in the decline, with researchers noting that “growth in issuance of UK study visas essentially ground to a halt by the third quarter of 2023 and will likely go into reverse in 2024 given rising domestic pressures to restrict migration.”
In response to the report, a government spokesperson stated, “We are fully focused on striking the right balance between acting decisively to tackle net migration, which we are clear is far too high, and attracting the brightest students to study at our universities.”
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of Universities UK (UUK), emphasized the economic benefits of international students and urged the government to support international student admissions and protect the graduate route. The report referenced recent Office for National Statistics (ONS) data which underscores that migration pathways continue to be a strong motivating factor for international study.
According to a study by The Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, in 2022, student migration to the UK reached an “all-time high,” with more than 484,000 visas being issued as well as 134,000 visas granted for student dependents. New visa rules put into effect from Jan. 1, 2024, forbid international students bringing dependents—such as children or parents—to Britain, with exemptions for those on research programmes or government-funded scholarships.
The UK was the second-highest recruiter of international students in 2023, ahead of Canada and Australia, with 11 percent of all inbound international students.
In January 2024, an investigation was announced into allegations of “bad practice” by UK university agents recruiting international students. The Russell Group, an association of top-tier research universities, stated that “Universities maintain robust admissions policies to ensure an equitable and consistent process for all applicants.”
PA Media contributed to this report.
