The UK’s upcoming dependent visa policy is having a negative impact on international student admissions. 44% of business schools in the UK are not meeting their recruitment targets for non-EU students this year. Overall EU enrollments are stable, but there is considerable variation in enrolling non-EU international students.
Indian students are still interested in studying in the UK, but the UK government’s ban on overseas students bringing family members unless enrolled in postgraduate research courses is expected to take effect in January 2024. This policy change is expected to have negative impacts on business schools’ ability to recruit international students. MBA programs are anticipated to be particularly affected, as are other post-experience programs.
In response to these challenges, many schools are redirecting efforts towards growing international student numbers at the undergraduate level. There is also a perception that business schools in competitor countries like Australia and Canada are already benefiting from the UK’s decision to restrict visas for dependents of students.
The survey underscores the difficulties in recruiting international students amid the government’s visa policy changes, with 93% and 84% of respondents anticipating adverse impacts on enrollments for postgraduate and MBA courses, respectively.
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