International student visa numbers see biggest drop in 20 years
The number of international students being issued with visas has fallen by 16% following the previous government's decision to limit student dependants entering the UK.
That's the largest drop in 20 years after the Tory crackdown began.
The Home Office figures covering July and September show that 263,400 sponsored study visa applications were made, compared to 312,500 over the same period last year.
Plus, there were 6,700 applications from dependants of international students, compared to 59,900 between July and September in 2023 - a drop of 89%.
Universities are highlighting financial worries
As a result of the fall, universities are highlighting financial worries as UK tuition fees remain frozen and income from overseas students plummets.
International students have, since January, been banned from bringing dependants - unless they are on some postgraduate research courses or have a government-funded scholarship.
The Home Office says the volume of sponsored study applications will usually peak between July and September, before the academic year starts.
Hurting university finances
The general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), Jo Grady, said the declining visa numbers was a 'direct result' of the Conservative restrictions.
She says the move continues to deter overseas students from studying in the UK - and that is hurting university finances and the UK's global standing.
However, while Labour has offered 'warm words', she warns that action is needed.
She explained: "Labour must lift Tory visa restrictions as a first step towards stabilising our universities and rebuilding Britain."
Numbers have increased since 2000
Foreign student numbers have been growing since 2000 but rocketed after a target of 600,000 students be attracted to the UK by 2030 was set by the Conservative government.
Universities now want Labour to push up tuition fees for students in the UK and grow government funding to halt the sector's growing deficit.
A director of the think tank Higher Education Policy Institute (Hepi), Nick Hillman, says that the Conservatives have made the UK less attractive for overseas students.
He also warns that universities are now having to consider carefully their finances.
Mr Hillman says that the new education ministers have shown 'no willingness to change the policy' - and won't explain what they'd do if a university 'topples over'.
Universities UK International (UUKi) says that recruiting overseas students is 'challenging' and that the UK's place as a top destination for students is now 'under threat'.
'Decline in overseas student visas'
Simon Thompson, the managing director of Accommodation for Students, said: "The big decline in overseas student visas has far-reaching implications for the student housing market.
"Landlords who rely on international students as a primary source of tenants may face reduced rental income.
"Those landlords may need to explore alternative strategies to mitigate the impact of this decline."
He added: "Ultimately, the future of the UK student housing market depends on a combination of factors, including government policies, economic conditions and the overall attractiveness of studying in the UK.
"Student landlords who can adapt to these changing circumstances and find innovative solutions are more likely to weather the challenges ahead."
