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Tag Archives: australian update

November 21, 2024

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced the recommencement of Evidence Level updates under the Simplified Student Visa Framework (SSVF), with the latest changes effective from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM AEDT today. This update follows the temporary pause announced in September 2024 and is based on visa outcomes from 1 October 2023 to 30 September 2024.

The new updates aim to reward education providers demonstrating improved performance while ensuring integrity within Australia’s student visa program. Adjustments will support genuine education providers to prepare for semester 1 of 2025, with country-specific Evidence Levels also being revised.

Key Highlights of the Update

  • Improved Performance: Providers showing better Evidence Level ratings will advance in Evidence Levels.
  • Addressing Decline: Providers with deteriorating Evidence Level ratings will be downgraded, except those in higher education, schools, and public vocational education and training sectors, which remain paused at their current levels.
  • Monitoring Integrity: The Department will closely monitor outcomes and may implement further interim changes if inappropriate recruitment practices are detected.

Context and Trends

Student visa applications for the first quarter of 2024-25 have decreased by 28% compared to the same period last year, with 99,868 applications lodged compared to 112,605 in 2018-19. Encouragingly, some offshore markets are seeing improved visa application quality and lower refusal rates. However, refusal rates for older onshore applications have risen due to stricter integrity measures and the introduction of the Genuine Student test.

Ongoing Engagement and Support

The Department has committed to expanding communication with the education sector and recently announced workshops on recruiting genuine students. These workshops have seen substantial interest from education providers.

Providers are encouraged to submit high-quality, decision-ready visa applications to facilitate timely processing for the 2025 academic year.

About Evidence Levels

Evidence Levels, updated biannually in March and September, reflect adverse immigration outcomes such as visa refusals and cancellations. These updates guide the financial and English language requirements for student visa applicants. The Department stresses the shared responsibility among education providers, migration agents, and students to maintain the integrity of Australia’s international education sector.

Routine Evidence Level updates are scheduled to resume in March 2025, with ongoing monitoring ensuring the program aligns with trends in visa outcomes and recruitment practices.

November 15, 2024

South Australia’s 2024-2025 General Skilled Migration Program has experienced unprecedented levels of Registration of Interest (ROI) applications for the following occupations:

  • Chef 
  • Motor Mechanic (General) 
  • Enrolled Nurse 

With interest so high, Skilled & Business Migration (SBM) is advising current and prospective applicants for these occupations to consider exploring alternative visa options, such as SBM’s DAMA Program. Clients can discuss visa options with their current employer and migration agent.

Currently, the number of ROI’s submitted exceeds the quota available to SBM. 

SBM will continue to send invitations to clients living and working in South Australia on a weekly basis across all available occupations. 

October 7, 2024
October 7, 2024

The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) will commence operation on Monday, 14 October 2024 and it will replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). To assist with the transition the Administrative Review taskforce have developed a factsheet which provides information about the new Tribunal and what it means for people who are seeking review of decisions, or have current matters in the AAT. Members are encouraged to distribute the factsheet to their clients and colleagues. Download the factsheet.

September 28, 2024

On 27 September 2024, the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) made an announcement regarding legislative updates. These updates included important information about State nomination updates.as following: 

  1. ACT Skilled migration nomination invitation round 

ACT held a skilled migration nomination invitation round on 19 September 2024.

 During this round, a total of 68 nominations were issued for the Subclass 190 visa, and 62 nominations were issued for the Subclass 491 visa. Below is a detailed breakdown of the invitations provided:


Canberra residents
Matrix nominating Small Business Owners 
Matrix submissions for Small Business Owners were not considered in this invitation round.

Matrix nominating 457 / 482 visa holders

190 nominations: 12 invitations
491 nominations: 1 invitation

Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations
190 nominations: 43 invitations
491 nominations: 29 invitations

Overseas applicants
Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations
190 nominations: 13 invitations
491 nominations: 32 invitations

The next invitation round will be held before 8 November 2024. 

  • Tasmania skilled migration nomination invitation round:

An update from The Tasmanian skilled migration webpage on 26 September 2024 included important details about the requirements and processes for Sc 190 and Sc 491 skilled migration nominations, applications, and Registrations of Interest (ROI) as follow:


Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa:
Nominations – 360 of 2100 places used
Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 211
Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 100
Registrations of interest on hand – 402

Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa:
Nominations – 104 of 760 places used
Nomination applications lodged but not decided – 81
Invitations to apply for nomination issued but not yet accepted – 45
Registrations of interest on hand – 386

September 20, 2024

Australia Unveils New International Student Profiles for 2025

Australian higher education providers have released updated international student profiles for 2025, outlining key attributes and academic backgrounds of prospective students. These profiles aim to help institutions attract a diverse global student body and strengthen Australia’s position as a top education destination.

For further details, a full proposal is available as a downloadable PDF.

August 31, 2024
August 31, 2024

Invitation rounds​​​​​​​​​ outcomes

Overview

Invitation rounds will be run periodically during the program year for:

  • Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored.

In each round, invitation numbers may vary depending on the number of onhand applications.

State or territory government nominations for skilled visas will not be affected by the departmental invitation rounds.

For results of previous SkillSelect invitation rounds, see Previous rounds.

Occupation ceilings

Occupation ceilings do not apply to these visa subclasses:

  • Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – State and Territory Nominated

Invitation process

The highest ranked EOI, by points score, will be invited to apply for their visa before an EOI with a lower points score.

For EOIs who have equal points scores, we will determine the time and date at which the EOI reached its score for that subclass. We call this a ‘tie break’ or the ‘date of effect’. The EOI with an earlier date of effect will be invited before EOIs with a later date of effect.

Current round

Invitations issued on 13 June 2024

The table below shows the number of EOIs invited, and the tie break month and year, for the SkillSelect invitation round on 13 June 2024.

Visa subclassTotal EOIs InvitedTie break date – month and year
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)5,29205/2024
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored0N/A

Invitations issued by occupation and minimum score invited

Occupation*Subclass 189*
Minimum scored
Accountant (General)100
Actuary95
Aeronautical Engineer95
Agricultural Consultant95
Agricultural Engineer95
Agricultural Scientist95
Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber65
Analyst Programmer95
Architect85
Audiologist85
Biomedical Engineer95
Biotechnologist95
Bricklayer65
Cabinetmaker65
Carpenter65
Carpenter and Joiner65
Chef95
Chemical Engineer95
Chemist95
Child Care Centre Manager85
Chiropractor85
Civil Engineer90
Civil Engineering Draftsperson85
Civil Engineering Technician85
Clinical Psychologist85
Computer Network and Systems Engineer100
Construction Project Manager85
Dancer or Choreographer95
Developer Programmer100
Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist85
Drainer65
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher85
Economist95
Electrical Engineer90
Electrician (General)65
Electrician (Special Class)70
Electronics Engineer95
Emergency Medicine Specialist85
Endocrinologist95
Engineering Manager95
Engineering Professionals nec)95
Engineering Technologist95
Environmental Consultant95
Environmental Engineer95
Environmental Research Scientist95
External Auditor95
Fibrous Plasterer65
Food Technologist95
Forester95
Gasfitter65
General Practitioner85
Geophysicist95
Geotechnical Engineer85
Glazier65
ICT Business Analyst100
ICT Security Specialist100
Industrial Engineer95
Internal Auditor95
Joiner65
Land Economist95
Landscape Architect85
Life Scientist (General)95
Life Scientists nec95
Lift Mechanic65
Management Accountant100
Management Consultant95
Marine Biologist95
Materials Engineer95
Mechanical Engineer90
Medical Diagnostic Radiographer85
Medical Laboratory Scientist85
Medical Practitioners nec85
Metal Fabricator85
Metallurgist95
Microbiologist95
Midwife85
Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)95
Motor Mechanic (General)95
Multimedia Specialist95
Naval Architect100
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist85
Occupational Therapist85
Other Spatial Scientist95
Paediatrician85
Painting Trades Worker65
Pathologist85
Petroleum Engineer95
Physicist95
Physiotherapist85
Plumber (General)65
Production or Plant Engineer90
Psychiatrist85
Psychologists nec85
Quantity Surveyor85
Registered Nurse (Aged Care)85
Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)85
Registered Nurse (Community Health)90
Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)85
Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)85
Registered Nurse (Medical)85
Registered Nurse (Mental Health)85
Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)85
Registered Nurse (Perioperative)85
Registered Nurse (Surgical)85
Registered Nurses nec85
Roof Plumber65
Secondary School Teacher85
Sheetmetal Trades Worker85
Shipwright105
Social Worker85
Software and Applications Programmers nec95
Software Engineer100
Solicitor95
Solid Plasterer65
Special Needs Teacher85
Specialist Physician (General Medicine)85
Speech Pathologist85
Statistician95
Stonemason65
Structural Engineer85
Surveyor95
Systems Analyst100
Taxation Accountant95
Telecommunications Engineer95
Telecommunications Field Engineer100
Telecommunications Network Engineer95
Telecommunications Network Planner90
Transport Engineer85
University Lecturer95
Valuer95
Veterinarian95
Wall and Floor Tiler65
Welder (First Class)85
Zoologist95
* Results could indicate that no EOIs were available to be invited, or EOIs were available but did not meet parameters to receive an invitation.
Note – ‘nec’ means ‘not elsewhere classified’.

Total invitations issued during 2023-24 program year

Visa subclassJulAugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJun
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)000008,300000005,292
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored0000079000000
The above figures do not include invitations issued for state and territory government-nominated visa subclasses. State and territory governments nominate throughout the month for specific visas.

State and Territory nominations

2024-25 program year

The number of EOIs that have received nominations from state and territory governments from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025.

Visa subclassACTNSWNTQldSATasVicWA
Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) 37149<5<597<518
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) State and Territory Nominated 23109<5<57<5<5

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds

August 30, 2024

The Australian Government has announced that a National Planning Level will apply to the international education and training sector from 2025.

On 27 August 2024, the Australian Government announced that a National Planning Level (NPL) will put limits on the growth of international student programs each year. For 2025, new student commencement numbers for Australia’s universities will be set at around 2023 levels.  

Why has an NPL been put in place?

Australia remains a top study destination globally and there have been large increases in the number of students choosing to study in Australia in recent years.  

A new NPL will help Australia’s education and training providers to manage this growth. It will also help to ensure that providers can continue to deliver high-quality programs, offer comprehensive student support services and best prepare their students for future employment in their chosen career. 

What are the numbers? 

National Planning Level limits will apply from 1 January 2025, with a total of 270,000 new international student commencements for the 2025 calendar year. This does not include enrolments or offers. It is the actual number of international students starting a course. If a student starts a second course at the same provider, also in calendar year 2025, it will not be counted under that year’s planning limit.  

From 1 January 2025, new commencements will be divided between Higher Education and VET:

  • Public universities will have a total of around 145,000 commencements.
  • Private universities and NUHEPs will have around 30,000.
  • VET providers will have around 95,000.

This means that most public universities in Australia will be able to enrol more new international students in 2025 than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic. Some universities will even welcome more new students in 2025 than in 2024.

Who is not affected? 

Current international students will not be affected by these changes.

Other student cohorts that will not be affected by the NPL also include: 

  • International students enrolled at an Australian provider or partner provider campus around the world, studying an Australian transnational education (TNE) or twinning program
  • School students
  • Higher degree by research students
  • ‘Standalone’ ELICOS students
  • Non-award, including Study Abroad and Exchange students
  • Australian Government sponsored (and partner sponsored) scholars
  • Students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste.

What protections are there for students?

Australia offers a wide range of student support services and protections. A range of recent policy changes were made before the announcement of the NPL. These changes have further strengthened student protections. This means that education and training providers must meet even stricter requirements before offering courses to international students.

Australia values and welcomes international students

International students from all over the world are welcomed and valued in Australia. International students bring new ideas and skills to our society, diverse perspectives to our classrooms and communities, and sought-after talent to Australia’s workforce.

Australia’s global campus offering will continue to include options for studying on campus at locations across Australiaonline programstransnational pathway and twinning programs, and Australian and partner provider campuses around the world.  

Source: www.studyaustralia.gov.au

August 30, 2024

There are many benefits to studying in a smaller student city in Australia. One advantage can be a cheaper cost of living compared to larger cities.

There are incredible benefits to studying in smaller student cities in Australia (also known as regional cities or centres). But it’s not just the relaxed lifestyle, unique environments and friendly communities in smaller cities that attract many international students each year. There are also some financial advantages. 

If you’re thinking of studying in Australia, here’s a guide to help you understand how much your everyday life might cost if you choose a smaller city. 

What are the smaller cities of Australia? 

n general terms, smaller cities and major towns are those located outside of Australia’s major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane). 

The map below shows all the places across Australia where you can study:  

The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs have created categories for the cities of Australia. This serves as a guide for the different incentives that are offered for studying in smaller cities and regional centres. For example, one of these incentives is additional post study work rights. 

Cost of living

Some smaller student cities will have a similar cost of living to the major cities. But most do have more affordable rental accommodation, transport and entertainment options.  

The cost of groceries won’t change too much from city to city across Australia, especially if you shop at one of the major supermarkets that operates nationally. However, you can usually find local markets with cheaper fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy products. 

How to research the cost of living in smaller cities

It’s very important to understand how much it costs to live in Australia so that you can plan to have enough money while you study.  

1. Get an estimate of your salary 

Start by working out how much money you could earn by working while you study, in line with your student visa conditions. Here are some ways to get an estimate of your potential earnings:  

  • Go to a job search site such as SEEK.com and look at part-time and casual jobs that you could do when studying. Some ads will offer a salary guide.
  • Find out what the minimum wage is in Australia.

There are some important things to keep in mind:  

  • It might take you some time to find a job.  
  • You might not make as much money as you expected. 
  • You can only work up to 48 hours in a fortnight during study terms and semesters (unlimited during study breaks). 

That’s why it’s important to come to Australia with some savings.  

2. Use the Cost of Living Calculator

You can get an estimate of the cost of living in the major regional cities (Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Darwin and Hobart) using our Cost of living calculator. The major cities (Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney) are also included in this tool so you can compare costs with some of the smaller student cities.

3. Chat to international students in Australia

Chat to student ambassadors on our site and ask them directly about cost of living.

4. Work out your weekly grocery costs

Check out the websites for major grocery stores in Australia such as Coles, Aldi and Woolworths to get an idea of how much your weekly groceries would cost. 

5. Compare accommodation costs 

When choosing where to study, accommodation is one of the most important considerations. The good news is that smaller student cities often have a wider variety of housing options and less competition for rental accommodation. 

To get an idea of accommodation costs: 

Search for courses in smaller cities 

Start your education journey to Australia today. Use our Course Search tool to look at courses in the smaller cities. You can also use our university list as a guide. 

We hope to see you in Australia soon! 

Source: studyaustralia.gov.au

August 28, 2024

In 15 August 2024, South Australia announced the state nominated skilled migration program for 2024-2025.

There are 464 occupations are available for the onshore streams and 427 occupations are open for the offshore stream. With onshore stream, there are 3 sub-streams for the applicants who meet requirements can submit a Registration of Interest (ROI) through one of the following streams:

  1. Skilled Employment in South Australia stream – for applicants who have shown commitment to South Australia and have South Australian work experience in their skilled occupation. 
  2.  South Australian Graduates stream – for applicant have graduated and work in SA in their skilled occupation. 
  3. Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream – for skilled migrants who are currently living and working in an outer regional area of South Australia in their nominated occupation may be eligible for state nomination through the Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream.

The general eligible under those streams are:

  • Have an active EOI on Department of Home Affairs’ SkillSelect system 
  • Currently live and work in South Australia 
  • The applicant’s nominated occupation is eligible under the eligible stream on South Australia’s Skilled Occupation List 
  • Be under 45 years of age at time of state nomination is approved 
  • Have a valid and positive skills assessment
  • Have at least Competent English (IELTS 6.0 or equivalent)
  • Score at least 65 points in the Department of Home Affairs’ points test (including state nomination points) 

Apart from those general requirement, each streams has it own requirement as following:

Skilled Employment in South Australia stream: The applicant have been residing and working in South Australia for at least the last 12 months, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job.

Australian Graduates stream:

  • The applicant have completed their qualification at a South Australian education provider
  • Have resided in South Australia for at least one year during their studies 
  • Have been residing and working in South Australia for at least the last 6 months in a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week).

Outer Regional Skilled Employment stream: The applicant ave been living and working in Outer Regional SA for the last 9 months, and be currently employed, in a full-time job (at least 30 hours per week).

For the prospective skill migrants currently residing offshore and would like to apply for the Offshore stream, South Australia will be assessing candidates on merit by the following factors:

  • English language ability
  • Skilled employment years (at least 3 to 5 years) and field of skilled employment
  • EOI points

Quota for visa 190/491 for South Australia are 3.800 slots

• Visa 190: 3.000 slots

• Visa 491: 800 slots

August 28, 2024

Victoria’s 2024-25 skilled visa nomination program (subclass 190 and subclass 491) is opened from 14 August 2024.

The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs has allocated 5,000 skilled visa nomination places to Victoria for the 2024-25 program.

Victoria’s allocation consists of:

  • Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) – 3,000 places
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – 2,000 places

There are some changes in the 2024-25 FY:

  1. Submitting a Registration of Interest (ROI):
  2. To be invited to apply for Victorian skilled visa nomination, applicant must firstly make or update an Expression of Interest (EOI) via the Australian Government’s SkillSelect and then submit ROI.
  3. All Registrations of Interest submitted in previous years have expired. The applicant must submit a new ROI
  4.   Employment requirement

For visa 190, there is no minimum work experience and hours of work requirement. If the applicant is living in Victoria and not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer not physically located in Victoria, they are still eligible to apply for nomination, but they are not eligible to claim earnings in their ROI. If they are living overseas, they are not required to claim earnings in their ROI.

For visa 491, if the applicant is living in Victoria, they must provide an estimate of their annual earnings in their ROI. If they are not working, working in non-skilled employment, or working for an employer who is not physically located in regional Victoria, they are not eligible to apply for nomination. If they are living overseas, they are not required to claim earnings in their ROI.

August 26, 2024

The Australian Government has provided Tasmania’s skilled nominated visa allocation for the 2024-25 program year.

A total of 2860 nomination places have been issued this year as part of Tasmania’s allocation of state and territory nominated visa categories. These include:

  • Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa: 2,100 places
  • Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa: 760 places

There are some updates for the 2024-25 program includes:

  1. Changes to priority attributes

Green priority attributes have been reduced for the Tasmanian Skilled Employment, Skilled Graduate Established Resident and Business Owner pathways. Some previously green attributes have been moved to a new “orange-plus” category.

Candidates with at least one orange-plus attribute will be a high priority and highly likely to receive an invitation to apply for nomination within six months. The higher the orange-plus attributes a candidate attains, the sooner an invitation will be issued.

All subclass candidates with at least one orange-plus attribute will be invited to apply for nomination this program year.

Employment must be skilled (ANZSCO Skill Levels 1-3) to claim orange-plus attributes.

  • 19 new occupation groups, comprising 78 individual occupations, have been added to the Tasmanian Onshore Skilled Occupation List for the subclass 190 Tasmanian Skilled Employment pathway. Candidates with a skills assessment and directly related employment qualify for permanent visa nomination after six months of work.

The following 19 occupation groups have been added to the TOSOL.

1311Advertising, Public Relations and Sales Managers 
1322Finance Managers 
1342Health and Welfare Services Managers 
1351ICT Managers 
2223Financial Investment Advisers and Managers 
2231Human Resource Professionals 
2242Archivists, Curators and Records Managers 
2321Architects and Landscape Architects 
2325Interior Designers 
2326Urban and Regional Planners 
2343Environmental Scientists 
2713Solicitors 
3112Medical Technicians
3114Science Technicians
3129Other Building and Engineering Technicians
3611Animal Attendants and Trainers
3991Boat Builders and Shipwrights
4111Ambulance Officers and Paramedics
5996Insurance Investigators, Loss Adjusters and Risk Surveyors
  • Changes to income thresholds in minimum eligibility requirement and priority attributes based on updates to Australian median and average earnings and the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold.
  • Employment with a related skills assessment as Chef, Cook, or Café or Restaurant manager in a fast casual restaurant or café business is now accepted
  • An updated critical roles list (for gold priority in the Tasmania Skilled Employment, Skilled Graduate and Established Resident pathways). 37 occupations have been added to the critical roles list and 30 have been removed.
AddedRemoved
135111 Chief Information Officer
135112 ICT Project Manager
135199 ICT Managers nec
224211 Archivist
224212 Gallery or Museum Curator
224213 Health Information Manager
224214 Records Manager
233311 Electrical Engineer
233411 Electronics Engineer
233911 Aeronautical Engineer
233912 Agricultural Engineer
233913 Biomedical Engineer
233914 Engineering Technologist
233915 Environmental Engineer
233916 Naval Architect / Marine Designer
233999 Engineering Professionals nec
234211 Chemist
234212 Food Technologist
234213 Wine Maker
261111 ICT Business Analyst
261112 Systems Analyst
261113 User Experience Designer (ICT)
261211 Multimedia Specialist
261212 Web Developer
263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
263112 Network Administrator
263113 Network Analyst
263211 ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
263212 ICT Support Engineer
263213  ICT Systems Test Engineer
263299 ICT Support and Test Engineers nec
411211 Dental Hygienist
411212 Dental Prosthetist
411213 Dental Technician
411214 Dental Therapist
411311 Diversional Therapist
411411 Enrolled Nurse
133111 Construction Project Manager
133112 Project Builder
133211 Engineering Manager  
232212 Surveyor  
232213 Cartographer
232214 Other Spatial Scientist
232411 Graphic Designer
232412 Illustrator
232413 Multimedia Designer
232414 Web Designer
233211 Civil Engineer
233212 Geotechnical Engineer
233213  Quantity Surveyor
233214 Structural Engineer
233215 Transport Engineer
234111 Agricultural Consultant
234113 Forester / Forest Scientist
234711 Veterinarian
252111 Chiropractor
252112 Osteopath
311112 Agricultural and Agritech Technician 312111 Architectural Draftsperson
312113 Building Inspector
312114 Construction Estimator
312116 Surveying or Spatial Science Technician   312199 Architectural, Building and Surveying Technicians nec
312211 Civil Engineering Draftsperson
312212 Civil Engineering Technician
312511 Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson
312512 Mechanical Engineering Technician
August 15, 2024

UK universities experienced record international enrolments in the 2022-2023 academic year, reaching a new high of 758,855 students — a 12% increase from the previous year. The UK hosted a total of 758,855 international students during the last academic year – with India, China and Nigeria sending the most students, new data released by HESA today revealed. It marked a record high for students coming to the UK, beating the previous record set in the 2021/22 academic year, when there were 675,200 international students. India sent more students to the UK than any other overseas nation in 2022/23, with students from this country representing just over a quarter (26%) of non-EU students. It was the first time since 2018/19 that another country took China’s top spot as the country sending the most overseas students to the UK. Some 173,190 students from India chose the UK for study opportunities in 2022/23 – a 39% increase compared to the previous year and 145,650 more students than in 2018/19, the data showed. Meanwhile, China sent 154,260 students (a 2% increase on the previous year), Nigeria 72,355 (a 66% increase) and Pakistan 34,960 in the same year. Of countries in the EU, France was the biggest sending country, with 10,305 students travelling to the UK. This was followed by Ireland, sending 9,410 students, Italy, sending 9,220, and Spain, sending 8,730.

While the number of non-EU international students in the UK rose between 2021/22 and 2022/23 – going from 555,060 to 663,355 – the number of international students from the EU fell. Some 95,505 EU students came to the UK in 2022/23, compared to 120,145 the previous year. It was the second year in a row that EU student numbers declined year on year after this cohort reached a peak in 2020/21, with 152, 910 students.

University College London logged the highest number of international students of all UK HE institutions in 2022/23, with 28,120 overseas students. It was followed by BPP University, with 19,205 international students, The University of Manchester, with 18,515, and the University of Hertfordshire, with 17,095.

HESA’s data for the 2022/323 academic year has been published three months later than anticipated, with the organisation blaming the delay on the challenges of bringing in a new data model.

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