Two new datasets from the Home Office and UCAS offer a cautiously optimistic view of international student recruitment to the UK, highlighting some positive developments amid broader downward trends.
New Home Office data released on February 13 showed that a total of 28,700 sponsored study visa applications were made in January 2025 – 12.5% more than in January 2024, when 25,500 applications were made. Meanwhile, dependant visa applications decreased by 32.4%, with 2,300 submitted in January 2025 – down from 3,400 in January 2024.
