This change comes as a response to the unsustainable pressures being placed on university resources and local services due to the rising number of dependents accompanying international students. Montgomery noted that this policy had been under consideration for a while, driven by concerns from university Chancellors about the strain on accommodations, medical services provided by the National Health Service, and educational facilities for dependents.
Under the new regulations, only those pursuing long-term research degrees such as PhDs will be permitted to bring dependents to the UK. This move aims to manage the growing demand for British education while ensuring that the infrastructure and services are not overwhelmed.
"In 2019, before the Coronavirus pandemic, only about one and a half thousand dependents accompanied Nigerian students. By 2022, this number had surged to fifty-two thousand, a thirty-fold increase," Montgomery highlighted. He emphasized that this trend was similar among students from other countries, notably India, necessitating the tightened restrictions.
Despite the change affecting many prospective students, the demand for UK education remains robust. In 2022, 65,000 study visas were approved for Nigerian applicants, with numbers soaring to 110,000 issued study visas by September 2023.
Montgomery expressed pride in the UK's educational sector, noting, "We are home to 17 of the top 100 universities globally. This academic excellence is a key driver of the high demand for education in the UK." He remains optimistic that despite these new restrictions, the appeal of British higher education will continue to attract a large number of international students.
The impact of this policy on the influx of undergraduate and master’s students will be clearer after the 2024 academic year begins, as the UK evaluates the outcomes of these changes.
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