BANGALORE: Stringent immigration controls have discouraged students from taking up higher studies in United Kingdom, which was one of the most chosen destinations for Management, Communication and Science courses till 2010.
Post recessionary period, the student visa allocation for UK has gone down by six per cent.
In 2011, UK implemented a new rule, doing away with Tier I Post Study Work visa. This affected not only the students, but also reignited interest among students to turn to Australia. Statistics in websites of top UK universities indicate that the percentage of Indian students taking up higher studies at UK has dropped by nearly 20 per cent.
“Education in UK is very credible and houses best universities in the world. UK wants only the brightest and the best international students,” said Mark Narusberg, validation officer, University of Wales, UK. He added that amongst the most sought after courses were Management and Science courses. However, students expressed dismay at the new rule, as they opined without permit to work after studies, it would be difficult to repay loans.