Recent UCAS data reveals a 2.3% decline in international undergraduate placements, with Chinese students seeing the largest drop. New policies, including a ban on dependents for most students, have contributed to a 16% fall in visa applications. While domestic enrolments have risen slightly, universities face financial strain due to reduced international intake. Experts warn that without a policy overhaul, the UK risks losing competitiveness as rivals like the US introduce more favorable measures for attracting global talent.
The number of international students accepting places at UK universities has declined following stricter regulations implemented by the former Conservative government. According to UCAS data for 2024, 69,905 overseas applicants secured undergraduate placements, marking a 2.3% drop from 2023.
Chinese students saw the largest decline, with 17,070 accepted in 2024 compared to 17,405 in 2023—a 1.9% decrease. In contrast, some regions reported growth: the number of students from Kuwait rose by 50% to 700, and UAE students increased to 1,875, up by 95.
The changes have sparked concerns among UK universities, which heavily rely on international students for financial stability due to uncapped tuition fees for overseas applicants. Domestic undergraduate fees remain capped at £9,250 annually, rising marginally to £9,535 in the 2025/26 academic year.
Since January, international students have faced new restrictions, including a ban on bringing dependents unless enrolled in postgraduate research or government-funded scholarship programs. These policies have coincided with a 16% drop in student visa applications between July and September, as reported by the Home Office.
Universities UK (UUK) warns that declining enrolments, particularly among postgraduate students, pose risks to both institutional finances and the UK’s global competitiveness. A Higher Education Policy Institute report noted growing dissatisfaction among Chinese students, who feel undervalued as mere revenue sources.
Conversely, UK domestic enrolments reached record highs, with 279,550 school leavers securing places in 2024, a 2.9% increase from 2023. This reflects a growing population of 18-year-olds, though experts caution that the rise remains modest given prior declines in demand.
Nick Hillman, director of HEPI, stressed the need for policy reassessment to maintain global competitiveness, particularly as international competitors like the US introduce more attractive measures, such as green cards for international graduates.
A UUK spokesperson emphasized the critical contributions of international students and urged further action to sustain the UK’s appeal as a leading study destination.
