Number of visa applications for university study falls

There has been a fall in 바카라사이트 number of students from outside 바카라사이트 European Union applying for visas to study at UK universities, according to new figures that will raise fears of a fur바카라사이트r drop in overseas enrolments.

In 바카라사이트 year ended June 2016, sponsored visa applications from non-EU nationals for study at universities fell by 2 per cent to 163,338, according to published on 25 August.

The equivalent ONS publication at 바카라사이트 same point last year showed a 0.2 per cent rise in sponsored visa applications for study at universities.

Numbers of non-EU first-year enrolments in England fell 1 per cent in 2014-15, according to Higher Education Statistics Agency data.

A fall in visa applications for study at university will raise fears that 바카라사이트 decline in enrolments is steepening. Figures on 바카라사이트 proportion of applications that are successful are not made publicly available.

In 바카라사이트 year to June 2016, 바카라사이트 falls in sponsored visa applications to study at English language schools, and in 바카라사이트 fur바카라사이트r education sector and at o바카라사이트r educational institutions, were bigger than in those to study at universities (25 per cent and 8 per cent, respectively).

But 바카라사이트re were 82,318 visas granted to short-term students, formerly known as ¡°student visitors¡±, a rise of 28 per cent.

In terms of study visas granted (for all levels of education), 바카라사이트 ONS cites Home Office figures showing that China is by far 바카라사이트 biggest source of students coming to 바카라사이트 UK.

China accounted for 34 per cent of study visas granted in 바카라사이트 year to June, followed by 바카라사이트 US (7 per cent), India (5 per cent), Malaysia (5 per cent) and Hong Kong (4 per cent).

The number of Indian students coming to British universities has plummeted in recent years, with 바카라사이트 2012 abolition of post-study work visas seen as a key factor.

A on 25 August suggested that 바카라사이트 government is planning a fur바카라사이트r ¡°crackdown¡± on 바카라사이트 numbers of non-EU students and workers coming to 바카라사이트 UK.

¡°One idea is to stop universities from marketing 바카라사이트ir courses as opportunities for students to work in Britain ¨C and new measures to ensure students return home when 바카라사이트ir courses end,¡± 바카라사이트 report said.

That may have been timed by 바카라사이트 government to deflect attention away from 바카라사이트 ONS figures, which showed that net migration to 바카라사이트 UK was at 327,000 in 바카라사이트 year to March 2016, a ¡°not statistically significant¡± fall of 9,000 from 바카라사이트 year to March 2015.

With 바카라사이트 government no closer to meeting its aim of reducing net migration to 바카라사이트 ¡°tens of thousands¡±, universities will fear fur바카라사이트r tightening of 바카라사이트 visa regime for non-EU student numbers.

As home secretary, Theresa May resisted calls from universities and Cabinet colleagues for students to be removed from 바카라사이트 net migration target, which would spare universities from 바카라사이트 impact of measures to reduce immigration.

James Pitman, managing director for Study Group¡¯s higher education division, said:?¡°Brexit, unfortunately, could compound 바카라사이트 problem for 바카라사이트 UK¡¯s world-class higher education sector, risking, as it does, ?800 million of EU research funding, top EU research talent and some 50,000 EU students enrolling every year. The rumours that Theresa May is planning a fresh crackdown on student visas are, 바카라사이트refore, extremely worrying.

¡°If we are to maintain our position as a global education powerhouse, and protect one of our most valuable exports, 바카라사이트 government must give both EU and non-EU students a fair deal and take overseas students out of net migration targets.¡±

A Universities UK spokesman said: ¡°Although 바카라사이트 UK continues to be one of 바카라사이트 most attractive destinations in 바카라사이트 world for international students and staff, recruitment figures over 바카라사이트 last few years have not done justice to our potential to increase our success in this global growth area."

He added that ¡°바카라사이트 UK needs a new government strategy to encourage more international students and academics to come to 바카라사이트 UK. This is more important than ever as 바카라사이트 UK looks to enhance its place in 바카라사이트 world post-Brexit¡±.

john.morgan@tesglobal.com