UK federal government information released today revealed a 40% year-over-year decline in research study visa applications this April, with 8,900 worldwide students applying to study in the UK, compared to 14,800 the previous year.
The decrease brings the overall number of candidates from January to April this year down by 33% on 2025, as stakeholders warn of aggravating headwinds.
“All of this is particularly difficult considered that we also know that the rejection rate is greater now than it has remained in the past … So, these numbers are optimistic,” Nous Group director Nicholas Dillon commented.
The drop indicates application levels for the year to April are at their floor in five years, down by 11% on 2024 when the government’s dependants restriction came into force.
Source: UK Office. Applications from dependants are 86 %lower than December 2023 before the policy entered result, as ongoing decreases in knowledgeable workers and health care employees set the UK on track for another year of zero or negative net migration.
The figures precede the Home Office’s upcoming release of wider Q1 visa data expected later this month, with stakeholders seeing carefully whether high visa rejection rates of Q4 2025 will continue.
They come as it emerged a 3rd of English universities dealt with deficits in 2015, with a new report from the regulator caution of the risks of “over optimistic forecasting” of trainee recruitment, highlighting persistent international volatility.
What’s more, it named geopolitical uncertainty, rising UKVI compliance regulations and unfavorable global perceptions of the incoming worldwide trainee levy as aspects adding to moistening demand, caution of the sector’s continued dependency on worldwide trainee income.
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