Change in UK Visa rule witness drop in Indian student application

Updated on: Monday, May 28, 2012

Responding to reports of a drop of 30 per cent in applications from India, a group representing 134 higher education institutions in Britain denied those reports. Universities UK (UUK) said it was too early to say how recent changes to the student visa system had affected international students since the academic year begins in September-October.

A spokesperson of UUK told: "Currently, the impact appears to vary from university to university, with some reporting a drop in applications from India for the coming academic year (2012-13), while others report that applications are holding firm. To date, no figures have been released to show a national drop".

"We are still in the middle of the applications process for the next academic year and the key time will be in the coming summer months...In the long-term, the message must be heard, loud and clear, that the UK continues to welcome genuine international students," the spokesperson added.

Students coming from India to study at UK universities rose every year until the recent changes to the student visa system, which was interpreted as putting up barriers to entry into UK, by the government.

Official figures show that there was an increase of 1.5 per cent in the number of Indian students, from 38,500 to 39,090 between 2009-10 and 2010-11.

The spokesperson said: "Application rates from India have continued to increase in recent years and we hope that that the figures will show this next year as well....There have been a number of changes recently to the student visa system which have now taken effect."

"So after a period of instability we can now focus on attracting students from India and elsewhere to our world-renowned universities," he added.

Britain faces stiff competition mainly from Canada and Australia to attract high fee-paying international students. The challenge has increased as changes to the student visa regime in the UK, particularly the closure of the post study work visa, have been reported widely in countries such as India and Nigeria.

UUK has warned Prime Minister David Cameron that universities could lose between 5 to 8 billion pounds every year due to the restrictions put in place as part of plans to curb visa abuse and net immigration.

Prof Eric Thomas, chairman of UUK, says in a letter to Cameron that in China and India, Britain is seen as "putting up barriers to entry", and added: "The UK seems to be telling the world that it doesn't welcome international students".

Several institutions such as the British Council and the Institute for Public Policy Research have urged the government to review the restrictions on international students.

Change in UK Visa rule witness drop in Indian student application

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