UK universities face financial turmoil as figures from the Home Office show plunging numbers of international students applying for courses starting in the next academic year.
Applications for sponsored study visas have fallen by 28%, suggesting the visa restrictions applied by the previous government continue to hamper recruitment. The Home Office received 28,200 applications last month, compared with 38,900 in June 2023.
Most student visa applications are received over the summer, leaving many universities hoping that things will improve by September. But more recent data shown to the Guardian suggests the sector will continue to struggle.
