The UK Home Office has revealed that sponsored study visa applications reached 411,100 for the financial year ending in January 2025, marking a 13% increase compared to the previous year.
However, applications for dependent visas saw a sharp decline, dropping by 84% to just 21,500. This significant drop follows a January 2024 policy change that restricts dependent visas to students enrolled in postgraduate research courses or those receiving government funding.
New Immigration Policies Impact Visa Landscape
In addition to the changes for student dependents, the UK government has introduced several reforms affecting various visa categories. Starting March 11, 2024, foreign social workers on ‘Skilled Worker’ visas will no longer be able to sponsor dependents. Furthermore, the minimum salary requirement for skilled workers will rise from £26,200 to £38,700 as of April 4, 2024. Additionally, from April 11, 2024, the income threshold for spouse or partner visas will increase from £18,600 to £29,000, and a new “Immigration Salary List” will identify jobs eligible for sponsorship with lower minimum earnings.
These policy changes represent a significant shift in the UK’s approach to skilled immigration, affecting various sectors and communities.
Why International Students Continue to Choose the UK
Despite these policy changes, the UK remains a popular destination for international students, driven by several factors:
For Satyam Surana, an LLM graduate from The London School of Economics, the UK’s strong reputation in legal studies played a key role in his decision. He notes that institutions like LSE have long produced “global legal legends,” motivating him to pursue his studies there.
For business students, like Sujathullah Panchi, an MBA candidate at Sheffield University, the UK offers practical, globally relevant skills in a condensed timeframe. He emphasizes that UK degrees provide “practical, internationally transferable skills” in just one year, helping graduates enter the global workforce more quickly.
Cultural and Professional Factors Draw Creative Disciplines to the UK
For students in creative fields, like John Mathew, who is studying Global Advertising and Branding at the University of Southampton, the UK’s cultural and professional environment is a major draw. He appreciates the country’s rich history and cultural landmarks, as well as the opportunity to work with leading advertising agencies. Mathew also points out that the prospect of a reduction in the Post Study Work (PSW) Visa from two years to six months in the coming year prompted him to act quickly and pursue his studies in the UK.
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