UK universities are among the most prestigious in the world, but visa restrictions mean they are now attracting fewer international students – taking a heavy toll on their finances.
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The restrictions are compounding problems caused by the UK’s departure from the European Union four years’ ago.
Almost 760,000 foreign students were enrolled in British universities in 2022, making Britain the second most popular destination after the US, in a highly competitive market.
Most come from India, then China and Nigeria.
But last year, the number of student visas fell by 5 per cent. Between July and September, student visa applications slumped 16 per cent compared to the same period last year.
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The decline is a major cause of concern for higher education institutions since foreign students pay far more in fees than British students.