Pakistani nationals have surpassed Nigerians to become the third-largest group of foreign students in the UK, according to the latest data from the UK Home Office.
The shift comes amid a significant decline in the number of student visas granted to both Indian and Nigerian students by UK authorities.
The data shows a 23% drop in sponsored study visas for Indian students, with 110,006 visas issued in the year ending June 2024, down from 142,693 the previous year. Nigerian students experienced an even steeper decline, with a 46% decrease in visas granted.
Meanwhile, Chinese nationals remain the second most common group of foreign students in the UK, with 107,236 sponsored study visas granted, representing 25% of the total.
This changing landscape presents challenges for UK universities, which have increasingly relied on international students for enrollment and financial stability.
The decline in student visas is partly attributed to the UK government’s stricter immigration rules, particularly those limiting visas for student dependants.
In recent times, Nigerians have been opting for Canada for foreign education, as the ‘japa’ wave increases daily.
