Universities have warned that tougher migration rules could damage international recruitment and harm Britain’s global reputation in higher education. Universities UK, which represents more than 140 institutions, told the BBC it supports efforts to tackle system abuse but stressed that the Home Office must improve data sharing to avoid penalising genuine students and universities.
Changes in migration policy
The warning comes as BBC News reported that student visa numbers fell by 18% in the year to June 2025, while overall net migration almost halved to 431,000 in 2024 according to the Office for National Statistics.
Recent Home Office changes include:
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Higher salary thresholds for skilled worker visas (from £26,200 to £38,700 for most applicants).
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English language tests extended to most visa applicants and adult dependants.
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Stricter rules on postgraduate students bringing dependants (limited largely to research courses).
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A cut in the post-study stay period from two years to 18 months.
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Longer residency requirement before applying for indefinite leave to remain (10 years instead of 5).
The Home Office has also begun directly contacting around 130,000 students by text and email to warn they could be removed if they overstay.
The Home Office full message
This follows what it described to the BBC as an “alarming” rise in asylum claims from students whose visas had expired – around 16,000 in 2024, nearly six times the number in 2020. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper told BBC Breakfast that some students were applying “even when nothing has changed in their home country.” The Refugee Council argued in the same coverage that many claims are genuine, since conditions can shift dramatically after arrival.
What this means for universities
The tougher stance raises concerns for universities, where international students provide critical fee income at a time when domestic tuition remains capped. They also underpin the UK’s global reputation for higher education.
Falling visa numbers risk deterring applicants who may see the UK as less welcoming compared with competitor destinations. Institutions also face new compliance pressures, with stricter rules on visa refusal and course completion rates. Universities UK told the BBC that improved real-time data sharing is needed so institutions can act quickly if issues emerge.
International competition
The challenge is heightened by developments overseas. In the United States, data from the Institute of International Education shows that over 1.1 million international students were enrolled in 2023–24, keeping it the largest destination worldwide. But these numbers are under pressure. Universities report that visa processing backlogs, limited consular appointments, new security vetting rules, and travel restrictions are affecting certain sanctioned countries, making it harder for students to arrive on time. Added to this are concerns over rising tuition costs and political uncertainty. ICEF Monitor reported that international student commencements in the US could decline by 30–40% this autumn, potentially reducing total numbers by 15% and costing the sector 150,000 students, US$7 billion, and more than 60,000 jobs.
In Australia, official government figures showed more than 1.1 million international students enrolled by late 2024, with international education now the country’s fourth-largest export worth A$50 billion according to the Reserve Bank of Australia. Reuters reported that new enrolment caps of between 270,000 and 295,000 a year have been introduced, raising concerns about future growth.
In Canada, official figures show more than 1 million international students in 2023. The country is seen as welcoming, with clear post-study work options and opportunities to stay long term, making it an increasingly strong alternative to the UK.
These international shifts bring both risks and opportunities for the UK. If government policies are perceived as hostile, students may opt for countries that continue to market themselves as more welcoming. But with rivals facing their own challenges, there is also an opening for the UK to strengthen its position as a leading study destination – provided it chooses policies that support rather than deter international students.
Balancing control and competitiveness
The government argues that clamping down on overstays and asylum misuse is necessary to maintain integrity in the system. But for universities, the risk is that the UK sends out the wrong message at a time of fierce global competition.
Student visas remain 52% higher than in 2019, showing that demand is still strong. Yet the fall in 2025, combined with deportation warnings and tighter visa rules, suggests this could be shifting.
The UK’s universities now face the possibility of a double squeeze: fewer international applicants on one hand, and tougher oversight on those they admit. The longer-term question is whether ministers can strike a balance between migration control and keeping Britain attractive to students.
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