In the wake of the UK Home Office's dependent visa ban policy, universities across the United Kingdom are witnessing a significant decline in international student admissions, notably from countries like Nigeria and China. Implemented to alleviate pressure on housing infrastructure and regulate migrant inflow, the ban has repercussions for the academic sector.
According to a report by the Chartered Association of Business Schools (CABS), almost half of the country's business schools are projected to miss their non-EU recruitment targets for the current academic year.
Notably, impacted by the restriction, Nigerians and Chinese students are diverting their enrollments to Canadian and Australian universities, considered more migrant-friendly destinations.
The shift poses economic challenges for UK universities heavily reliant on tuition revenue, especially in business schools. The report anticipates adverse effects on postgraduate programs, particularly MBA enrollments, and prompts a reassessment of academic strategies, including potential shifts to online delivery. The looming financial strain adds complexity to the landscape as the education sector navigates the consequences of this stringent visa policy
