Applications for UK study visas in the peak application month of August have fallen sharply, the .

In that month, 360,700 applications were made for sponsored study visas, a 16 per cent decline on the corresponding month in 2025.

Student visa applications spike in August, ahead of the start of the new academic year, so a decline in that month is particularly significant and is likely to sound alarm bells around a sector already struggling financially.

The drop follows a  during August 2025, compared with August 2024 – a recovery from a sharp decline the previous year, after the government banned all international students except those on postgraduate research courses from bringing dependants with them.

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In addition, there was another steep drop in the number of dependants who applied for a visa. The 17,000 applications received amounted to a 22 per cent fall compared with August 2025.

That means that applications from dependants have slumped by 88 per cent since the end of 2023, when the dependants ban was introduced.

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Consultancy RSM UK said that, if converted into registrations, the decline could represent the loss of around £416 million of income per annum for the university sector.

“Today’s data highlights the impact of visa reforms on international student applications, with the seasonal peak ahead of the new academic year failing to reach previous levels. It is a concerning blow for UK universities already facing a challenging fiscal landscape and reinforces the need for institutions to move away from a reliance on income from international students for long-term financial strategy and sustainability. This could drive further consolidation in courses, staffing and operations in the long term,” said Louise Tweedie, a partner at RSM. 

The Russell Group of research-intensive universities said that government policies, including the proposed international student levy, were “no doubt contributing to the change we’re now seeing”.

“The international student levy is a tax on one of the UK’s most critical exports. This would be anti-growth and anti-devolution, with a direct impact on the cities and regional economies the new Burnham government is seeking to boost. We hope the prime minister will take quick and decisive action to reverse it. We need a period of stability in immigration policy to see the full impact of recent changes and to enable us to continue welcoming the global talent who contribute so much to our campuses and our society,” said Libby Hackett, the group’s chief executive.

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“The volatility in international recruitment also demonstrates why linking this to the funding of maintenance grants does not make sense. Student maintenance support needs a reliable funding mechanism, as part of a wider review of the finance system, to effectively support students from all backgrounds to access university opportunities and thrive in their studies.”

paul.jump@timeshighereducation.com