UK has released a report on long-term international migration trends that sheds light on the shifting role of international education in the year 2024. The report shows that while a post-pandemic surge boosted student migration initially, recent policy changes have resulted in fewer study dependants and reduced visa applications. At the same time, more international students are now leaving the UK after completing their courses, reshaping the overall migration landscape. These insights highlight how worldwide events and updated educational policies are transforming student mobility in the UK.
The provisional estimates for the year ending June 2024 provide a comprehensive snapshot of the UK’s long-term migration. Among the various migration streams, international education stands out as a critical area of focus. This article explores the factors influencing study-related migration, including changes in visa policies, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and evolving trends in student mobility.
Policy Changes and Decline in Study-Related Immigration
Decrease in Study Dependants
One notable trend is the decline in the number of dependants arriving on study visas. In the year ending June 2024, study dependants fell from 115,000 in the previous period to 80,000. This reduction is directly linked to policy changes introduced in January 2024, which restricted the ability of most international students to bring their family members along.
Changes in Visa Applications
Recent Home Office visa application statistics indicate that the number of study visa applications from both main applicants and dependants declined during the first 10 months of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. This trend further reflects the impact of the new visa rules on student mobility.
Detailed Immigration Figures for Study-Related Migration
Main Applicants vs Dependants
For the year ending June 2024, among non-EU+ nationals:
- Study Main Applicants: Approximately 295,000 individuals arrived for study purposes.
- Study Dependants: Around 80,000 individuals arrived as dependants.
These figures underscore that study-related immigration remains a significant component of the overall migration landscape.
The analysis reveals that Indian nationals are the most common among non-EU+ study-related immigrants, with about 127,000 arriving for educational purposes. This number slightly exceeds those arriving for work-related reasons, demonstrating the prominent role of education in shaping migration patterns.
Study-Related Emigration Trends
Post-Pandemic Student Emigration
In the same period, there has been an increase in study-related emigration. Approximately 60% of non-EU+ long-term emigrants originally arrived on study visas. In numerical terms, 113,000 non-EU+ nationals who initially came to study emigrated in the year ending June 2024, up from 91,000 in the previous period. This trend is largely attributed to the large number of post-pandemic students now reaching the end of their courses
.
Impact of the Graduate Visa
Another contributing factor to the emigration trend is the introduction of the Graduate visa in 2021. This visa permits international students to remain in the UK for at least two years after completing their studies, which has influenced both the duration of stay and the eventual decision to emigrate.
