Foreign students are making a comeback in the UK as study visas rise despite stricter rules

Foreign students are cautiously returning to the UK, with an 18% rise in study visas in early 2025. Chinese and Indian students lead the resurgence, dominating nearly half of all visas. While master’s programs attract the majority, tighter rules on dependants have reduced overall numbers, reshaping the student demographic and signaling a shift toward a more academically focused international cohort.