There has been a 23% decline in student visa applications from Indian students in the UK (United Kingdom). This decline is being caused by various factors, including delays in the visa process, stringent immigration policies, rising cost of living in the UK, and economic uncertainties. All these factors together are having a significant impact on students’ decision whether to choose the UK for their higher education or not. Moreover, this decline is also an indication that the competition in the international education landscape has increased, and students are turning to countries where they find more favourable conditions. In this article, we will discuss all these factors in detail and understand how this situation is affecting Indian students, as well as what its long-term effects may be on the UK’s international education sector.
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Delays and uncertainty in the visa process
In recent years, the UK visa process has taken longer, making it more difficult for Indian students to obtain a visa. The process of obtaining a student visa normally took a few weeks, but recent changes can now stretch to several months. This is due to a number of reasons, including visa officers scrutinising applications more rigorously and stricter immigration policy.
1.1 Delayed visa decisions and uncertainty for students
Delays in the student visa process create uncertainty for Indian students. They make plans to start their studies in the UK, but when visas are delayed, they have to readjust their schedules. There are times when students miss their study deadlines, forcing them to wait for up to a year.
This situation poses a major challenge for students as well as universities, as delayed arrivals disrupt university operations. Many universities in the UK have a high reliance on international student fees, and if students do not arrive on time, it affects their financial stability.
1.2 Stringent immigration policies and their impact
The UK’s immigration policies have tightened in recent years, with the primary aim of controlling immigration and preventing illegal migration. However, these policies have also had an indirect impact on international students seeking education in the UK legally. Students now face more paperwork and stricter criteria during visa application, which has further complicated the visa process.
Additionally, visas are being rejected in some cases, leading to the perception among students that the UK is no longer a friendly destination for international students. There is growing uncertainty among Indian students about whether they will get a visa to the UK, and this is causing them to turn to other countries where the visa process is relatively simpler.
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Rising cost of living in the UK
The cost of living in the UK has risen sharply in recent years. The prices of accommodation, food, and other essential commodities have become high, making it even more expensive for foreign students to pursue an education in the UK. This increased cost of living is affecting Indian students financially, and they are now looking towards countries where the cost of living is cheaper and high quality education is available.
2.1 Rise in housing costs
Housing costs are particularly high in London and other major cities. Finding a suitable place to live for students in the UK has not only become difficult but also very expensive. Many students are now having to spend more money than they had budgeted, putting a huge strain on their finances.
Many Indian students come from middle-class families who use their savings to fund higher education. When the cost of living rises, they start to reconsider whether studying in the UK is really the right choice for them. As a result, many students are now turning to countries where the cost of housing and living is lower, such as Germany, the Netherlands, and other European countries.
2.2 Inflation and increased expenses
The rising inflation in the UK has also increased other expenses for foreign students. The prices of food, transport, and other daily necessities are constantly rising, making it difficult for students to balance their education and living.
Many Indian students work part-time to afford their education and other expenses, but this is also becoming difficult for them amid rising inflation. This is having a negative impact on the education of students, as they have to spend more time working along with their studies.
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Concerns about the value of foreign degrees
In recent years, there has been growing concern among Indian students about the value of a UK degree in their home country. In the Indian labour market, it is no longer as easy to get a job just by having a foreign degree as it used to be. This has made many students reconsider whether they should spend such a large sum of money to study in the UK.
3.1 Relevance of foreign degrees
The Indian labour market has become increasingly competitive, and just having a foreign degree is no longer a guarantee of a job. Companies now expect candidates to have not only academic qualifications, but also expertise in experience and skills. Many Indian students are realising that they are facing the same difficulties after returning from studying in the UK as they did while pursuing their education in India.
As a result, many students are now turning to countries where they can not only get a high-quality education, but also have more employment opportunities after graduation. For example, countries like Germany, Canada, and Australia offer students better opportunities to work after graduation, making their investment in overseas education more worthwhile.
3.2 Lack of employment opportunities in the UK
The availability of employment opportunities for students after studying in the UK is another important concern. Although the UK government has recently extended the duration of post-study work visas, it is still not easy to get employment. Students face tough competition to work in the UK, and many times they do not get the expected job despite their qualifications and experience.
This situation is a big issue for Indian students, as they spend heavily on their studies in the UK and face the uncertainty of getting a job after that. For this reason, many students are now turning to countries where job opportunities after graduation are more assured, such as Canada and Australia.
