Archive · 28 Jul 2026
Indian Students Opting for UK Study Visas Decline
The number of Indian students applying for study visas to the UK has decreased.
In the first three months of 2026, fewer Indian students enrolled in undergraduate and master's programs compared to the same period in 2025.
This decline is due to new UK immigration rules that make it harder for students to bring family members and reduce the time they can stay after graduation to work.
However, the number of PhD applications has increased.
Universities are concerned that these changes make the UK seem less welcoming to international students, even though they rely on them for enrolment.
Indian student enrolments in UK undergraduate programs dropped from 2,073 in 2025 to 1,676 in 2026 Q1.
Master's enrolments fell from 15,149 in 2025 to 11,453 in 2026 Q1.
PhD applications increased from 633 in 2024 to 732 in 2025, with 77 applications in 2026 Q1.
UK immigration changes restrict dependents for most international students and shorten post-study work visas.
Universities report that these policies negatively impact perceptions of the UK among international students.
- Who
- Indian students
- What
- Decline in study visa applications to the UK
- When
- First quarter of 2026
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Why
- Due to stricter immigration policies and reduced post-study work opportunities
UK Government
Universities
Immigration Policy Changes
UK Government
The UK government has implemented stricter immigration policies to reduce migration, including restrictions on bringing dependents and shortening the Graduate Route visa.
Universities
Universities argue that these policies make the UK less welcoming to international students, despite the country's reliance on their enrolments.
- Undergraduate Enrollments (2026 Q1)
- 1,676
- Undergraduate Enrollments (2025 Q1)
- 2,073
- Master's Enrollments (2026 Q1)
- 11,453
- Master's Enrollments (2025 Q1)
- 15,149
- PhD Applications (2024)
- 633
- PhD Applications (2025)
- 732
- PhD Applications (2026 Q1)
- 77