Archive · 16 Dec 2025
UK Universities See 9% Drop in Indian Postgraduate Enrollments
Many universities in the UK are seeing fewer students from other countries, especially from India and China, starting postgraduate courses.
This is happening because other countries are also offering good education options.
The UK government is also planning to charge universities more for having international students, which might make it harder for universities to attract them.
Even though there are fewer students from India and China, there are more students from the US and Europe.
This change might make it tougher for universities to manage their budgets because they rely on fees from international students.
61% of UK universities reported a decline in international postgraduate enrollments for the 2025-26 academic year.
Postgraduate enrollments from India and China saw significant declines of 9% and 17%, respectively.
Enrollments from the US and EU increased by 19% and 13%, respectively.
Total sponsored study visa grants remained similar to the previous year but were 31% lower than the peak in 2023.
The UK is planning to introduce an international student levy in 2028, which may impact university finances.
- Who
- UK universities and international students
- What
- Decline in international postgraduate enrollments, particularly from India and China
- When
- 2025-26 academic year
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Why
- Increased competition from other global education destinations and new policies like the international student levy
- Survey Conducted By
- British Universities International Liaison Association (BUILA)
- Percentage of Universities Reporting Decline
- 61%
- Total Sponsored Study Visa Grants (Year Ending September 2025)
- 439,924
- Main Applicants (Year Ending September 2025)
- 419,558
- Dependants (Year Ending September 2025)
- 20,366
- Percentage Decline in Indian Postgraduate Enrollments
- 9%
- Percentage Decline in Chinese Postgraduate Enrollments
- 17%
- International Student Levy Fee (From August 2028)
- £925 per international student per year