Is The UK Becoming More Popular With Indian Students Post Brexit?

The number of Indian students enrolled in UK colleges increase by over 3000 from 2016-17 to 2017-18
The increase in student traffic is partly because of the Brexit effects
There was a marked increase in the number of Post-graduate Indian students

After being on a downslope for the past 5 years, the number of Indian students heading to the UK picked up in 19. According to the latest data released by ONS or Office National Statistics, states that by 2019 December 30,550 Indian students obtained tier 4 student visa. Read on to find out more.

Indian Students In The UK

In the year 2010-11, as many as 39,090 Indian students enrolled in colleges and universities in the UK. In the years following this all-time high, the number of Indian students in the UK has been steadily decreasing. In 2016-17 only 16,550 Indian students headed to the UK. Over the last decade, 270,000 Indian students have gone to the UK for higher education.

However, the trend is changing once more as the number of Indian students enrolled in UK schools increased to 19,750 in 2017-18. While the UK may still not be the most preferred choice for Indian students, the perception that it does not welcome international students seems to be changing.

Year	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
No. of Indian Students	22,375	19,750	18,325	16,745	16,550	19,750

Sponsored study visas granted to Indians also showed an increase of 33% in 2017-18. A total of 18,735 Indians were granted these visas.

Why Are More Students Heading To The UK?

The increase in the number of Indian students in the UK has not been universal at all levels. While the number of Indians in vocational courses has dropped, the number of postgraduate students has increased.

One of the reasons for this is the shutting down of several colleges that were recruiting non-EU students for non-academic reasons.

The easing of the restrictions on the post-study work visa is another reason for the increase in student traffic. While the post-study work visa which was shut down in 2012 shows no signs of being reintroduced any time soon, Indians and non-EU students will now be given more time to find a job after the completion of their courses.

They can now also be employed before their degrees are awarded. These changes are part of a visa pilot program being run in 27 UK universities.

The depreciation of the British Pound has also made studying in the UK more affordable. The British pound dropped by 20% after the Brexit and 1 pound is now valued at around Rs 80.

This is about 8% lowe4r than the pre-Brexit value. As a result, the cost of travel and living in the UK has reduced considerably for Indian students.

Brexit And Indian Students In The UK

Once the Brexit comes into effect in 2021, Indian and other international students at undergraduate and post-graduate levels will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 6 months after the completion of their courses. PhD students will be given up to 1 year to find a job.

Indian and non-EU students typically pay a much higher tuition fee than British and EU students. This is often three times as much as the fees paid by UK or EU students.

However, once the Brexit comes into effect, the EU students may no longer be able to take advantage of the reduced fees. This may lead to a drop in EU students.

Recognizing that the Brexit may cause a sudden fall in income for colleges and universities in the UK, proposals are being put forward to reduce the fees for international students.

According to a government review, the current annual fee of £9,250 may be reduced to £6,500.