New government figures show that applications to study in the UK by international students have dropped by 17% since 2023.
In January of 2024, the government introduced legislation that prevents most international students from bringing their dependents to the UK with them.
This has resulted in a 17% decline in international student applications, and an 83% decline in applications for dependents of international students to come to the UK for the 2024/25 academic year.
Commenting, NUS Scotland President, Sai Shradda S. Viswanathan, said:
“The decline in applications for international students and their dependents is disappointing, but not surprising.
“The previous government deliberately introduced the ban on international students’ dependents as part of hostile environment policies designed to lower international student numbers.
“This was both cruel and self-destructive. We should welcome international students with open arms; everyone who wants to access an education in the UK should be able to. But the policy also damages the UK education system. We can no longer attract hopeful applicants from across the world to study here, and students can no longer build valuable cross-border friendships, because we have made it impossible for them to bring their families.
“The riots last month were the result of a long-term and sustained anti-migrant campaign by people in power. Hostile environment policies have violent consequences. The new government have said that the culture war is over, now they need to prove it by dismantling the hostile environment, including reversing the ban on international students’ dependents.”
