A study revealed 33,941 sponsored study visas were granted by the United Kingdom to Pakistani nationals in the year concluded in June 2024, a 23% increase over the year previously. With this rise, Pakistan topped Nigeria, which saw a 46% drop in student visa issuance during the same duration, to become the third-largest source of international students to the UK.
Despite an 85% decrease in visas granted to their dependents, the number of Pakistani students rose. This suggests an increased desire for study in the UK among Pakistani students.
For the first time since October 2023, the number of applications for visas for study in the UK has increased. In January 2025, according to the latest Home Office data, students submitted 28,700 applications for sponsored-study visas, a 13% increase over January 2024
The increase in applications follows other positive news from the end of last year. As per reporting by University World News, the number of visas issued to international students in December 2024 represented a 169% increase over the previous month and was the biggest month-on-month uptick since July 2022.
The Home Office data also reveals with recent indicators from service providers Enroly and UniQuest. Enroly reported a 27% year-over-year increase in student deposits made on its platform in January 2025 as well as a 14% jump in issuances of acceptance. UniQuest reviewed more than 40,000 applications for the January 2025 intake and found that firm acceptances (i.e., students who said a definite yes to their offers) were up by 31% over 2024
