…declining student numbers are largely from Nigeria and other countries
A recent Universities UK (UUK) survey paints a stark picture of the sector’s health, as 49 per cent of 60 institutions surveyed have shut down courses, amid declining international student numbers, chiefly from Nigeria, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Other results from the survey indicate that 25 percent of universities have made compulsory redundancies, 19 percent have cut research investment and 18 percent have closed entire departments.
The warning comes ahead of the release of a new immigration white paper, amid reports that the Home Office may introduce targeted restrictions on student visa applications from countries deemed at high risk of overstaying or lodging asylum claims.
Vivienne Stern, chief executive of UUK, has cautioned that any additional restrictions on international student recruitment would further diminish income streams already under severe pressure.
She described the moment as critical for the sector.
Tightening international student visa rules
Universities across the UK have raised alarm over fresh government proposals to tighten student visa rules, warning the move could significantly deepen the financial crisis engulfing the higher education sector.
Universities have already been grappling with a marked drop in international student enrollment, largely attributed to visa curbs introduced by the previous government.
These include restrictions on the ability of students to bring dependents, which significantly deterred applicants from key overseas markets.
Government sources have indicated that the National Crime Agency is assisting in developing applicant profiles to identify those deemed more likely to claim asylum after entering the UK on student or work visas.
Official figures show that nearly 10,000 individuals who arrived legally on such visas claimed asylum and were housed in government-funded accommodation last year.
Stern said the measures outlined in the forthcoming white paper could worsen the financial fragility of UK universities:s, “The immigration white paper is likely to restrict universities’ ability to recruit international students, and make a difficult financial situation facing the sector considerably worse.”
