Decline of Int’l Student Enrollment Prompts UK Universities to Cut Staff, Courses

A sharp decline of international students enrolled in postgraduate programs is prompting universities in the United Kingdom to consider laying off their staff and discontinuing several courses.

According to a recent report by University World News, at least 15 universities have publicly admitted they are reducing staff and scrapping some courses due to this decline. Many other institutions are calling on staff to apply for voluntary severance.

These developments are linked to the UK government’s new rules banning most international students from bringing their dependents to the UK, which took effect on January 1, 2024, Erudera.com reports.

“From 1 January 2024, tough government action means most international students can now no longer bring family members to the UK,” the Home Office said in a statement on January 2, 2024.

There is a growing worry that the number of international students enrolling in undergraduate courses will also decrease in the coming academic year, and the accommodation crisis will exacerbate the situation.

Some institutions, members of the Russell Group universities, have also warned about potential layoff and elimination of some courses, according to a report by Nairametrics.

Universities That Were Polytechnics See Rise in International Enrollment

On the other hand, some higher education institutions, often polytechnics that became universities in 1992, have witnessed an increase in international student enrollment.

The University of Hertfordshire, a public university in Hertfordshire, has seen a remarkable growth in international students, accounting for more than 45 per cent of the school's total intake.

Other changes to the UK student visa rules include a review of the Graduate Route, which permits international students to remain in the UK and work for two to three years after graduation.

These restrictions aim to reduce net migration while protecting the contribution of international students to the UK's economy. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates, net migration was 672,000 between June 2022 and June 2023.

152,980 visas were issued to family members of international students until September last year, an increase of more than 930 percent from the 14,839 issued in the year ending September 2019.

Concerns Over Economic Impact of Measures

Restrictions on international students have not been welcomed by university leaders, who insist such actions will damage the UK’s economy.

Since the implementation of these rules in January, universities have seen a 40 percent drop in students enrolling in postgraduate courses, according to a survey by Universities UK, the main body representing universities in the country.

“I regret the fact the government appears to want to diminish our success in this area… If they go further, they will damage the economies of towns and cities throughout the UK, as well as many universities. Given we should be doing everything we can to promote economic growth, this seems to be getting the priorities wrong,” UUK’s chief executive, Vivienne Stern, said.

In the 2022/23 academic year, the number of international students in the United Kingdom has reportedly reached a new high. According to the Centre for Migration Control (CMC), there were a record 787,000 international students in the country.