This year, only 9,275 students from Bangladesh went to the UK for higher studies. In comparison, 15,234 Bangladeshi students went to the UK in 2022. This shows a 39 percent decrease in Bangladeshi students going to the UK in just one year.
Experts believe the decline is due to changes in UK student visa policy. A recent British Council report titled “Transnational Education in Bangladesh” suggests this number may decrease further.
According to the British Council, the number of students from Nepal and Pakistan who went to the UK nearly doubled in 2023 compared to 2022. In 2022, 4,664 students from Nepal and 27,903 from Pakistan went to the UK. In 2023, these numbers increased to 8,528 from Nepal and 31,093 from Pakistan.
On the other hand, the number of students from India and Bangladesh dropped sharply. In 2022, 139,152 students from India went to the UK. In 2023, this number decreased by nearly 14 percent, falling to 120,110 students.
In July 2023, the UK government introduced a new visa policy for immigrants on student visas. The change was first announced in May 2023 to prevent the misuse of the visa system. This new policy came into effect in January 2024.
Under this policy, from 2024, only international students enrolled in postgraduate research programs will be allowed to bring their families to the UK. Students receiving government-funded scholarships will also be allowed to bring their dependents. However, other students will not have this opportunity.
The new policy also changed the process for applying for a work visa from a dependent visa. If a student on a dependent visa has the required skills, they can apply for a work visa.
Most Bangladeshi students who go to the UK for higher studies typically pursue postgraduate degrees. However, as the new visa conditions are difficult to meet, students’ interest has declined, which has affected student visa applications.
Shoeb Ahmed, who graduated from a public university in Bangladesh, completed an MSc in Marketing with Advanced Practice from Ulster University in the UK. He started his career in the UK with his family just before the new student visa policy was enforced. He told Bonik Barta, “The UK has long been a top destination for international students due to its high-quality education and global recognition. However, recent immigration policies have reduced international students’ interest in the UK. Most postgraduate students come to the UK for professional or additional master’s degrees. However, the new policy has stopped students from bringing their family members, creating widespread dissatisfaction. Many students struggle to focus on their studies and are mentally stressed due to being away from their families.”
“The significant increase in academic fees, health surcharges, and deposit fees has greatly increased students’ financial pressure. As a result, many students are considering other countries as alternatives to the UK. These factors have led to a sharp decline in international students since last year, which could pose a major challenge for the future of the UK’s higher education sector,” he added.
Jahangir Alam, managing director of Standard Educare Global, a consultancy firm that provides information and guidance to students interested in studying abroad, told Bonik Barta, “Two types of students come from Bangladesh to the UK. Some go only for studies. After completing their studies, they return home or move to another country. The other type of student mainly focuses on staying in the UK after completing their studies, looking for a job and permanent residency. With the new student visa policy, students coming for general master’s courses other than research programs can no longer bring their family members. This has naturally reduced students’ interest in going to the UK.