Lincoln Uni calls for change in visa rules as international student numbers decrease

The University of Lincoln is calling for change in student visa rules due to the decrease in international students at the institution.

At the beginning of 2024, the government introduced visa restrictions which prevents international students bringing their families to the UK. The restrictions were part of the plan to curb immigration.

The University of Lincoln, amongst other universities, is asking the government to reconsider its decision. Since the changes, the university has seen a 51 per cent drop in allocations from international students.

Due to the freeze on home tuition fees, many universities rely on income from international student fees for compensation.

International student applications for the University of Lincoln fell from 2,995 in 2023/24 to 1,460 in 2024/25. Home Office figures show that nationally the 393,125 visa that were granted in 2024 represented a 14 per cent drop on the figures from 2023. However, it is still 46 per cent higher than in 2019.

“Removal of the dependents visa has made the UK a less attractive study destination overall in a competitive global marketplace for student recruitment, particularly for international masters students,” the university said.

“We support sector calls for a more evidence-based approach to international students in national immigration policy, which recognises the need to manage true migration without jeopardising the economic and societal benefits of the UK’s standing as a global study destination.”

According to the BBC, it is costing creative writing student Raha Fazlollahei more than £30,000 a year to study in the UK. She said it was “really heart breaking” to be so far away from her family who remain in Iran, but also added that being away from her family “helps me to grow to be independent”.

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Student Sibghatullah Karimi, from Afghanistan, said about study costs: “The students from Asian and African countries, their currency differences is too high, so if we convert that currency, it would be in the millions.”

International students are also important to the local economy with an estimated one in seven at the university being an international student.

The government has previously said international students “will always be welcome but the net migration levels seen in recent years have been completely unacceptable, and we have committed to reducing those numbers substantially.”

Featured image via Chris Goddard on Creative Commons