A new report on the sustainability of the higher education sector in England has revealed that Indian students are being prevented from applying to UK universities, exacerbating their financial woes at a time when education institutions already have limited budgets. Are facing.
An Office for Students (OfS) analysis released on Friday, based on UK Home Office data on Confirmation of Acceptance to Study (CAS) by UK providers from 2022-23 to 2023-24, shows that Indian student numbers There has been a decline of 20.4 percent. From 139,914 to 111,329.
Indian student groups in Britain said the decline was to be expected amid limited job prospects and security concerns following recent anti-immigration riots in some cities.
“There have been significant declines in student visa applications from potential non-UK students in some key source countries,” the report from OfS, a non-departmental public body within the government’s Department for Education, said.
“This data shows an 11.8 per cent decline in the total number of sponsor approvals issued to international students, with considerable variation for students with different nationalities, with the largest decline in the number of CAS issued to Indian and Nigerian students. 28,585 (20.4 per cent) and 25,897 (44.6 per cent) respectively,” it said.
It warned that universities with financial models that are heavily dependent on students from countries such as India, Nigeria and Bangladesh are likely to be significantly affected by this downward trend.
“The number of international students has fallen significantly, with some countries sending large numbers of international students to study in the UK,” the OfS warns.
“By 2025-26, based on current trends and not taking into account significant mitigating actions, we estimate that net income for the sector will be reduced by GBP 3,445 million, and, without significant mitigating actions, Without it, there would be sector-level losses of GBP 1,636 million, with up to 72 per cent of providers making losses, and 40 per cent having low liquidity,” it adds.
Indian National Students Association (INSA) UK said it is not surprised by the significant decline in the number of students from India since the government has allowed foreign students to bring their dependent partners and spouses.
“Under the new policy, students are not allowed to bring their peers to the UK and given the economic situation here and the recent riot stories, the outlook for UK universities will change unless the government addresses this issue,” he said. “Disappointing because they are so dependent on Indian students.” Amit Tiwari, President of INSA UK.
In recent years Indians have overtaken the Chinese as the leading nationality granted study visas to the UK and are the largest group accessing the graduate route post-study work visa, which has been thrown into disarray due to a review. Since then it has been concluded that it is here. stay.
Sanam Arora, chair of National, said: “A number of factors are responsible for the fall in numbers, including Conservative restrictions on dependents, confusion over post-study work visas, rising salary ranges for skilled workers and a clear shortage of jobs in the UK ” Indian Students and Alumni Association (NISAU) UK.
“We have discovered the scale of misinformation that continues to persist; for the first time, security is also being raised as a concern… Universities need to ensure that they address the confusion in India. Communicating the UK’s offering adequately and comprehensively,” she said.
“Universities also need to invest significantly in their employability support to remain competitive and provide a holistic, outcomes-oriented offer for students,” he said.
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