As per UKVI, Number of Applications for Tier4 Student Visas for Quarter 1 of 2024 has Decreased Significantly

The demand for educational programs in the UK among international students is being significantly impacted by the UK's tightened immigration laws. Demand from Nigeria and India, two important student markets, is being stifled, especially by the rule that went into effect in January 2024, prohibiting international undergraduate and graduate students from bringing their dependents.

According to the UK Home Office's most recent data, international students submitted 40,700"sponsored study" visa applications in the opening quarter of 2024 (January, February, and March of 2024) as opposed to 72,800 during the same period in 2023. This represents a 44% overall decline.

A sharp decline is observed due to restrictions for accompanying dependents and it is the primary cause of the decline. 32,900 dependent applications and 39,900 main applicant" applications were submitted for study visas in 2023. In contrast, 34,000 submissions were made by "main applicants" during the same period in 2024 (a 15% decrease from 2023), while only 6,700 were made by dependents (80% decrease). Keeping dependent applicants aside for a moment, this indicates that during the past two years, the number of applications for 'main applicants' has decreased by slightly more than 27%.

According to UK government data, Nigerian student applications had already fallen by 63.5%in 2023, while Indian educational applications had already decreased by 13%. On the other hand, more Chinese students applied to study in the UK in 2023.According to data from Enroly, a student enrollment platform used by roughly one-third of UK universities, the downward trend in demand from Nigeria and India in 2023 has continued into this year. In India, deposits were 38% lower and universities gave 34% fewer Confirmations of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)to learners in the January 2024 intake than in the January 2023 intake. The quantity of deposits was working 22% lower, and CAS issuance was 71% off for Nigeria compared to 2023.

This year, the consequences of the dependents ban are also being felt by UK business schools, which offer a large number of postgraduate-taught programs. According to a survey conducted by the Chartered Association of Business Schools, 76percent of 50 UK institutions stated that their non-EU enrollments had decreased in January 2024 intake. Additionally, international student enrollments in postgraduate-taught courses beginning in January 2024 were, on average, 44% lower than in January 2023, according to a Universities UK evaluation of 73 member universities.

The out come of a government assessment of the well-liked Graduate Route, which permits international students to stay in the UK for two to three years after finishing their studies, is being anticipated by UK universities. In the upcoming months, that review—which aims to determine whether the path is being exploited—will be made public. The Immigration Health Surcharge cost has increased by 65% for international students in recent months. In February 2024, the annual cost of health coverage increased to £776.