Nigeria UK Universities Face Funding Crisis as International Enrollments Drop Post-Brexit

UK universities face a financial crunch due to a decline in international student enrollment, caused by stricter visa restrictions and post-Brexit challenges. With funding gaps worsening, some universities are establishing international partnerships to sustain revenue. Universities UK warns that inflation-adjusted student fees are insufficient, intensifying the financial strain.

UK universities are grappling with a financial strain as they face declining numbers of international students, largely due to tighter visa restrictions and lingering impacts from Brexit. Once a top destination for students worldwide, the UK has seen a notable drop in foreign applications, with a 16% decline in student visas issued between July and September compared to the previous year. This reduction in international enrolment is especially concerning for UK universities, which rely heavily on the higher fees paid by foreign students to support educational and research activities.

The decrease has pressured institutions to seek alternative revenue sources. For example, Coventry University has partnered internationally to establish campuses in countries like Egypt, India, and China, allowing students abroad to earn UK degrees without relocating. Meanwhile, institutions such as the University of the Arts London and Cranfield University report that foreign students make up over half of their enrolments.

Universities UK (UUK) warned in September that the current £9,250 tuition cap for British students fails to meet inflationary demands, shrinking per-student funding to levels last seen in 2004. Additionally, recent policy changes have restricted international students from bringing family members or switching to work visas, making alternative destinations like Canada and Australia more attractive.