Massive Growth in Enrollment of Indian Students at London Universities

After a quarantine year, higher education institutions have finally begun their new sessions. However, some are taking baby-steps while some have already started enrolling students. While India is set to reopen the schools and colleges, students opting for bachelor’s or master’s degrees are ready with their UK visa and London University acceptance letters. 

The UK is a beautiful country with a great culture and ethics. Being the land of Cambridge and Oxford, it is an excellent opportunity for any student to reside in a place like London and continue with their education and job. However, this year, it seems like London is back with its attractions to lure quality students and not just that! The UK government has developed authoritative policies for all international students, giving them various options to choose from and contrive an admirable position in life. 

This time, not just Indian, international students worldwide have been choosing London as their preferred city to study in. 2019-2020 has been an incredible year for the British countryside. The number of international students grew rapidly within the last few years. Even in the year 2021, students have been applying for a British visa. It is, however, very advantageous for London as the city’s position all across the globe is rising to the top. 

London and its increasing number of international students

While some international students are still applying for British Visa, various London universities have already welcomed about 135,490 international students this year. The student population has been increased by 8.4% this year, which also follows London to maintain the record of the hub for international students for the 7th time globally in a row. The rise of the number of international students has surpassed all of London’s previous records, which leads to the fact London now has a great chance of being a famous city once again. 

However, London is yet to beat India as India is considered to be in the second position globally for attracting international students, and China remains in the first position. This year, almost 13,435 Indian students have enrolled in London universities; 87% of the total number of international students have enrolled. It is safe to say that London, without a doubt, is now the famous Indian students’ hub, with China and the US being in first and third place, respectively. 

Indian Students and the UK government

According to sources, UK government policies for international students have played a significant role in attracting international students, including Indian students. The UK government has reintroduced student policies for post-graduate students pursuing their courses in London or any city in the United Kingdom. According to the international student policy, international graduates can stay longer in the country and seek jobs. This means if an international student with a temporary immigrant visa wants to look out for jobs in London or any part of the UK right after graduation, s/he steadily can. 

The student would not need to go back to their country or reissue their visas or forcefully think of choosing other countries and look out for jobs. The student, after s/he graduates, will be given an ample amount of time in which s/he can search for jobs in case they want to settle down and claim the government for permanent citizenship. 

This comes as a huge opportunity for the international students to study, work, and settle down in a new country without any haphazard. The policy has lured Indian students and other international students from Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, etc. 

It can be understood how the new policy is a motivation for most of the students not just to complete their education, but also settle down in a new country with a new job, and new friends. 

What do the experts have to say?

It is, however, believed the increase of international students in the UK is solely for the new policy the government has come up with. But, we can not also ignore the fact that London does have one of the best education systems all around for which, even before the policy was framed, London had been one of the cities which was one of the top choices for a lot of Indian students. 

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) states that the UK has increased 8.4% this year due to the total number of international students compared to the last six academic years. 

The released information of 13,435 registered international students is a big game-changer as the last year. Only 7,185 international students were registered to pursue their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate here in the UK. 

Director of Education and Talent at London & Partners, Lalage Clay, believes the sudden rise of international students in London is proof of how London, hands down, offers the best cultural studies to all of the students worldwide. According to Clay, London has to offer so many subjects, starting from science, business, and humanities stream to all the national and international students. Within no time, the UK will be considered the best choice for global learning. 

In an interview, Lalage Clay said,” These new figures confirm the status of one of the world’s leading universities in London. The staggering growth in the number of Indian students who have chosen London shows the great opportunity that studies in the British capital offers, as well as the possibility of staying in the UK for two years after graduation.” 

She continues by saying, “Whether, in fashion or finance, accounting or art history, prospective international students know that when they choose London, they are choosing a world-class education and cultural experience, not like the others.” 

No doubt, the homeland of royal kingdoms seems to be providing immigrants a better lifestyle, with a better education.