A recent analysis by the Office for Students (OfS) reveals a significant decline in the number of Indian students applying to UK universities, a trend that could exacerbate financial challenges in
the higher education sector. The report, based on Home Office data, highlights a 20.4% drop in confirmations of acceptance for studies (CAS) issued to Indian students between 2022-23 and 2023-24. The number fell from 139,914 to 111,329 during this period.
The decline in Indian applicants mirrors broader challenges faced by UK universities that heavily depend on international students, particularly from India, Nigeria, and Bangladesh. The OfS report also notes an overall 11.8% drop in sponsor acceptances for international students, with Indian and Nigerian students experiencing the sharpest declines—20.4% and 44.6%, respectively.
Factors Driving the Decline
The Indian National Students’ Association (INSA) UK attributes the downturn to several factors, including limited job opportunities, changes in government policies, and safety concerns following recent anti-immigration riots in the UK.
“Under the new policy, students are not allowed to bring their partners to the UK. Coupled with the economic conditions and reports of riots, the situation appears increasingly discouraging. Unless the government addresses these concerns, the outlook for UK universities is bleak,” said INSA UK President Amit Tiwari.
Financial Impact on UK Universities
The OfS has issued a stark warning about the financial implications of these trends. It estimates that UK universities could face a GBP 3.445 billion reduction in income by 2025-26 if these patterns persist. The report further predicts that up to 72% of higher education providers could face financial deficits unless corrective actions are implemented. Photo by DAVID ILIFF. License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia commons.