International students applying to UK universities drop after tougher rules introduced

Clampdown on allowing family members to accompany candidates

Universities have warned of significant financial concerns due to a drop in overseas students, who can be charged higher tuition fees. PA

The number of international students who have accepted a place on a UK degree course has fallen after restrictions introduced by the former Conservative government.

A total of 69,905 overseas applicants of all age gained an undergraduate place at a university or college this year – down 2.3 per cent on 2023, according to data published by Ucas, the university admissions service.

The number of applicants from China who accepted a place saw the largest fall, according to end-of-cycle data for 2024. Overall, 17,070 students from China were accepted on to degree courses this year, compared to 17,405 in 2023 – a 1.9 per cent drop.

The number of accepted applications from Kuwait increased to 700, a rise of 50 per cent. From the UAE, 1,875 students were accepted, up by 95.

Universities have warned of significant financial concerns due to a drop in overseas students, who can be charged higher tuition fees. Fees for domestic undergraduate students in England are capped at £9,250 per year, rising to £9,535 in the 2025 to 2026 academic year, but those for people from overseas studying in England have no upper limit.

Since January, international students in the UK have been banned from bringing dependents with them, apart from those on some postgraduate research courses or courses with government-funded scholarships.

Universities UK has previously warned that international enrolments are falling – and reductions were most significant among postgraduate students.

Data released by the Home Office in October showed there was a 16 per cent drop in visa applications from overseas students between July and September.

A separate report – published by the Higher Education Policy Institute on Thursday – has suggested that some Chinese students feel that British universities see them only “as a revenue stream”. It warned it would be a “mistake” for institutions to be complacent about recruitment from China.

The latest Ucas figures also show a record number of UK 18-year-olds have accepted a place on a degree course this year.

Overall, 279,550 school and college leavers in the UK were accepted on to courses in 2024, compared to 271,735 in 2023 – a rise of 2.9 per cent.

Ucas said the figure reflects the growing 18-year-old population in the country.

“It is good to see the numbers for UK students are more positive than many people feared they would be,” said Hepi director Nick Hillman.

“But the number of 18-year-olds has been rising fast, so the small increase in accepted applicants from the UK – which comes after two years of soft demand – is nothing to write home about.

“This is especially so when setting aside the decline in international students applying through Ucas.

“The rhetoric about international students may have changed radically as a result of July’s general election, but the policies haven’t.

“The UK’s whole approach needs to be looked at again if we are to compete with places like the US, given [president-elect] Donald Trump has promised green cards to international students in the US.”

A UUK representative said: “International students provide huge benefits to our universities, and the cross-subsidisation of teaching and research from their fees supports high-quality education for all students.

“The downturn in international undergraduate accepted applicants via Ucas points to a challenging environment for international student recruitment and university finances.

“The new government’s support of international students has been welcomed by the sector, but we must go further to ensure the UK remains globally competitive and an attractive destination for international students.”