Is Britain getting less attractive for students?

The UK has been one of the most popular sites for international students in recent years – but is its appeal fading?

Home office figures show UK sponsored study visas Fall up to 31% – 600,024 in 2023 to 415,103 in 2024 – and with it, many universities rely on cities.

Universities, which represents 141 institutions, say measures to reduce pure migration “have created significant uncertainty around the UK’s post-study work offer”.

The government says that international students will be “always welcome, but the level of pure migration seen in recent years is completely unacceptable, and we have committed to reduce those numbers to a great extent”.

Covantry in West Midlands is particularly dependent on the international student economy.

In 2022–23, in universities with at least 10,000 students, Coventry University had the second highest percentage of international students in England outside London.

According to the most recent data, 16,285 out of total 35,405 were non-UK students. Higher education statistics agency (That is one).

30 -year -old Jingven Yuan spent seven years as a construction project manager in his original China, where he oversees construction projects, which keeps more people than people found in some cities in Britain.

The alumni of the University of Covantry have a Masters degree in advanced engineering management and paid £ 3,000 to live in UK on a graduate visa in search of work – but has been unable to find a job.

She says, “All my undergraduate degree classmates from home have gone back to China,” she says.

“My friend got £ 5,000 to £ 6,000 from our government, if he came back. And for us, if we choose to live, we need to pay £ 3,000 to the UK government. Can you see the difference?”

India’s 21 -year -old Mohammad Abdullah Syed says, “One thing to stop more students here is recent changes in the visa.”

In January 2024, the student visa sanctions effectively implemented, meaning that postgraduates lost the right to bring members of the family dependent in the UK and prevented new students from switching to a task visa before the end of their courses.

The number of study visas sponsored for dependants was 85% decline, from 143,276 to 21,978 in 2023.

Mohammed says that another factors pay more than international students Britain.

The University of Covantry says that tuition fees may vary depending on the course – but by September 2024, the cost of most courses is about £ 16,800 – £ 20,050 per year for international students.

This has been compared to £ 9,250 for domestic students, which will be £ 9,535 in September.

The University of Coventry says that Brexit has had a “deep impact” on UK universities’ ability to attract European Union students.

House of Commons Library The number of European Union students fell rapidly after a change in visa requirements and funding rules in 2021-22.

Since August 2021, new students of the European Union typically have to pay international fees and do not qualify for the tuition fee loan.

Laura is studying international relations at Alonso Coventry University.

Spain’s 21 -year -old man says: “There are many international people and international students, especially in covantry, so you always welcome”.

But she believes that from the return of Britain Erasmus+ Program Keep a lot of Spanish students to study there.

Turing schemeThe one who replaced it, funded Britain participants to study or work abroad – but does not fund international students coming to the UK.

While the number of international visas has almost increased to one -third, the number of international students applying to study in UK through universities and colleges Admission Services (UCAS) has increased.

UCAS saw 2.7% increase in international graduate applicants between 2024 and 2025

Although it does not represent the entire picture, UCAS figures are not directly responsible for students applying through colleges and universities, or postgraduate courses.

The overall decline in international students is affecting the finance of the University of Covantry. It recently put hundreds of employees At the risk of excess,

Therefore, it is a little surprising that a change in the widespread economy of the city is also being felt.

Analysis of data from Coventry University’s Higher Education Policy Institute and Coupon International shows that international students produce £ 651m a year For the city’s economy.

A indication of a decline in foreign students is that many objective-made students are subject of housing block change-use plans proposals To convert them for residential use,

Along with some residents, the quantity of student housing has been approved, attracted to the debate Object to planning applications,

Estate agents reported landlords due to falling in international student numbers.

The University of Coventry says that it is proud of widening access to education: “It would be strange to disrupt our missions and values ​​within national borders.

“Our long -term strategy to diversify income to help in combating this fact has been frozen and successful for many years and has been successful and the right task remains.

“In many years, the continuous increase in student numbers allowed us to create many jobs and increase economic and social benefits. Now we are rearving the organization based on changes outside our control.”

The government says its immigration white paper “will determine a comprehensive plan, immigration, skills and visa systems to restore our domestic workforce to restore the order for our broken immigration system, will determine to eliminate dependence on foreign labor and promote economic growth.”

Universities UK CEO Vivian Stern says that the issue of funding means that universities are reducing students’ options – and the decline in international students is damaging communities.

“All types of people of life have people who benefit from the fact that universities bring students who spend money in shops and cafes – local businesses, their haircuts, to take taxis.

“This actually contributes to economies in Britain, and I think it is really special.”

Additional reporting by Jonathan Fagg and Miguel Roca-Terry.