Tougher dependents’ rules blamed for drop in foreign student numbers
29 May 2025
New Office of National Statistics figures reveal a sharp fall in the number of international students to the UK.
The information suggests that numbers plunged by 17% in the 12 month period to December last year.
And while net migration to the UK fell 50% to 431,000 in the period, the numbers of ‘study-related dependents’ was down by 105,000 – equivalent to an 86% reduction.
The National Centre for Universities and Business, which last week welcomed government initiatives on research and development budgets, warned that the fall in dependents permitted would have a knock-on effect on the numbers of foreign students.
NCUB CEO Dr Joe Marshall remarked: “The sharp decline in international student enrolment is not only a threat to the sector’s financial sustainability, but it also poses a direct risk to the UK’s broader economic prospects.
“While many leave after their studies — contributing less to long-term migration — they deliver substantial short- and medium-term benefits to institutions, regions, and the wider economy”.
Evidence published by Universities UK this year suggested the international students in particular play a disproportionate role in British academia at postgraduate level.
Despite comprising just 7% of the overall foreign cohort, they account for 41% of all postgrads in the UK, with STEM subjects predominant.
Furthermore, around half the overseas postgraduate population is concentrated in 14 research-intensive universities.
The drop in international enrolment could also diminish the UK’s influence and capacity for world-changing research and discoveries, added Marshall.
Pic: Shutterstock (Gorodenkoff)
