The UK wants to maintain its status as a leading world-class destination for higher education and attract the brightest and the best international students. The recent string of proposals announced by the UK aims to ensure that its higher education sector serves primarily as an educational tool rather than as a pathway to immigration. There is a latest addition to this string.
As per the UK government’s new ruling, international students will have to show more funds to prove they can support themselves financially in the country. Students who will be coming to London for studies will have to show evidence of having £1,483 per month and those who will be studying outside of London will need to show £1,136 per month in their bank account.
The increased maintenance requirement will be applicable from January 2, 2025. Students will be paying £110 to £140 per month more than what is applicable now. The UK government has indicated that these financial requirements will be updated regularly to compensate for inflation.
The increased financial requirements alone will not be much of a deterrent for students wishing to pursue education in the UK. However, when we view this increase in combination with recent policy changes such as dependent visa restrictions, it will become more challenging to study in the UK.
Initiative to Take Only Genuine Students
The UK’s Home Secretary commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to protect the integrity and quality of the UK’s higher education sector. They want to make sure that this sector works in the best interests of the country.
The MAC proposes to act on rogue immigration agents who pose a threat to the immigration system. Immigration through the student visa route transitions directly to the Graduate route, and thus immediate actions are proposed. Institutions recruiting international students are also under the scanner and have to adhere to tougher compliance standards.
Institutions in the UK may lose their sponsor license if the students accepted by them fail to pass the visa checks. Actions may also be taken if international students fail to complete their courses. The government is also reviewing the English language assessments and all international students should have a proficiency level to understand their course materials. If they fail to meet the revised standard in English, they cannot expect a place in a UK university.
Key Implications of New Financial Requirements
Inflation is a global phenomenon and every country is affected by it, consequently, they have to increase the price of their daily commodities. The increase in maintenance requirements for international students by the UK reflects the same global trend. The UK government updated the financial requirements to help incoming students adapt to changing economic conditions.
The increased financial requirements will deter those who are applying for study visas to fulfil purposes other than studying in the UK. The higher cost will make this path less appealing and will potentially reduce visa fraud. The combined effect of recent restrictions on dependent visas and elevated financial requirements means student visas will be applied by only those who want to benefit from a world-class education in the UK.
Ways to Soften the Impact of Increased Financial Burden
The amount of maintenance funds that are required to be shown can be reduced if the students can show that they have paid for their accommodation in the UK. There is another way out, i.e. those who are already living in the UK for at least 12 months on the date of application are not required to show maintenance funds.
The sole purpose of changing visa rules at such a large scale means that the UK only wants to accept genuine students. The present qualifications of students and the education they want to pursue in the UK should align. Moving ahead, they will be able to integrate into the UK system only if there is demand for their skills and qualifications. To say the least, the UK does not want to compromise the quality of its education that attracts students from across the globe. If your intentions as a student are genuine, you will not be troubled by the changing rules. Discuss more with overseas education consultants in Chandigarh to steer clear of changing student visa requirements.
The Conclusion
The increased maintenance cost may be seen as an increased financial burden, but for the UK government, it is necessary to maintain the integrity of the student visa system. The quality of education provided by the UK remains the same. Students who are still searching for the best education in the world will still want to come to the UK.
