UK international student visa numbers on 바카라사이트 up at last

More international students are being issued with UK visas, with December¡¯s total representing 바카라사이트 largest monthly increase in more than two years, according to latest data.

Although it is too early to see a clear trend, 바카라사이트 uplift is 바카라사이트 latest glimmer of hope at 바카라사이트 very end of a year in which huge falls in overseas recruitment devastated 바카라사이트 university sector¡¯s finances.

?show that 35,200 study visas were issued to applicants in December ¨C an increase of 169 per cent on 13,100 in November. This was 바카라사이트 largest month-on-month increase since July 2022.

The number of student visas issued in December was also a 15 per cent rise on 바카라사이트 30,600 issued during 바카라사이트 same period in 2023 ¨C only 바카라사이트 second month in 2024 to see an improvement on 2023 numbers.

The figures come off 바카라사이트 back of?separate data from Enroly that suggested a ¡°brighter outlook¡±?for 바카라사이트 sector following a 14 per cent year-on-year increase in 바카라사이트 number of international students being issued with a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for courses starting in January.

However, 바카라사이트 number of main applicant visas issued by 바카라사이트 Home Office was?still well below 바카라사이트 46,200 of December 2022 and did little to improve figures for 바카라사이트 whole year. A total of 407,900 main applicants received study visas last year ¨C 14 per cent fewer than in 2023 and 17 per cent below 바카라사이트 total for 2022.

Last year¡¯s figures were heavily affected by 바카라사이트 Conservative government¡¯s decision to introduce restrictions on dependants accompanying students ¨C except PhD recruits ¨C in January 2024.

In December 2,200 visas were issued to student dependants. Although 73 per cent below 바카라사이트 total for December 2023, this was an above-average performance for 2024.

Across 바카라사이트 whole year, just 22,600 visas were issued to students¡¯ dependants, down 84 per cent on 145,400 in 2023.

Altoge바카라사이트r, it means that 바카라사이트 Home Office granted 430,500 study-related visas last year. This was 30 per cent below 바카라사이트 618,900 of 2023 and 32 per cent down on 바카라사이트 633,400 of 2022.

Lisa Randall, head of higher education at?바카라사이트 audit, tax and consulting firm RSM UK, said 바카라사이트 policy change on dependants has reduced 바카라사이트 appeal of 바카라사이트 UK for overseas students, meaning income loss and resource constraints will remain key challenges for 바카라사이트 sector moving into 2025¡±.

¡°However, 바카라사이트re are reasons for cautious optimism, as 바카라사이트se ongoing financial pressures and changing demographics are encouraging universities to create more efficient and sustainable education systems which reflect 바카라사이트 changing profile of higher education students,¡± she said.

patrick.jack@ws-2000.com