The number of international students’ applications is on the rise again in UK, new data from the Home Office and UCAS reveals. After a tough year of declining numbers, this uptick suggests a potential recovery.
In January 2025, the Home Office received 28,700 sponsored study visa applications, this is a 12.5% jump compared to the same month in 2024. This is the first time since October 2023 that monthly applications have increased year-on-year. The numbers are also 7% higher than in January 2023, showing a slow but steady increase.
Over the past 12 months, total study visa applications dropped by 13%, with 411,100 submissions. This decline is largely due to stricter visa rules introduced in January 2024. The visa rules prevented most international students from bringing their families to the UK.
In January 2025, only 2,300 dependant visa applications were made—a 32.4% drop from January 2024 and a massive 84% fall compared to two years ago. Under the policy, only postgraduate research students or those on government-funded scholarships can bring their families.
Despite these hurdles, UCAS data provides a glimmer of hope. International undergraduate applications rose by 2.7% compared to 2024, with notable increases from China, Ireland, and the US. The UCAS Equal Consideration Deadline, which typically accounts for 80% of applicants, saw a significant boost in global interest.
Jo Saxton, UCAS Chief Executive, welcomed the news, saying, “It’s really encouraging to see that global confidence in UK higher education remains strong, with more international students choosing UK universities and colleges in 2025.”
The rise in main applicant numbers stands in sharp contrast to the steep drop in dependant applications, reflecting the impact of recent policy changes. While universities have felt the financial pinch from fewer international students, the Labour government has stuck to the stricter rules, prioritizing controlled migration over revenue from overseas students.
The data paints a complex picture for UK higher education. While the increase in study visa applications is a positive step, the long-term effects of dependant restrictions and growing global competition for international students remain uncertain.
