Huge increase in Indian students studying in UK

Newly released UK Immigration Statistics show that over 30,000 Indian students received a Tier 4 (study) visa for the year ending September 2019 – up from almost 19,000 the previous year.

This 63 per cent year-on-year increase is almost four times as fast as the global rate.

In the last decade, more than 270,000 Indian students have attended a UK education institution.

The latest visa statistics also show that the UK remains a popular destination for Indian holiday makers. More than 512,000 Indian nationals received visit visas – a 9 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Overall, it is estimated that more than 1 in 5 of all UK visas go to Indian nationals and 90 per cent of Indian applications are successful, above the global average. Indian nationals also accounted for nearly 51 per cent of all Tier 2 visas granted globally – with over 56,000 Indians receiving skilled work visas in the reporting period.

“I’m delighted to see that once again the statistics show that more Indians are choosing to study at the UK’s world-class educational institutions,” said Sir Dominic Asquith, High Commissioner to India.

“This is now the third consecutive year in which the numbers have increased. It is important to us, because these young leaders of tomorrow will reinforce the living bridge that connects India and the UK.”

According to the Times Higher Education rankings for 2020, three of the world’s top 10 universities are in the UK (Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College). Three are also 11 in the top 100 and 28 in the top 200.

Article published 29th November 2019