The UK government has announced new immigration and education reforms that will significantly affect international students.
Under the new policy, the post-study work period for international graduates will be reduced from two years to 18 months, effective 1 January 2027. Officials said the move aims to ensure that graduates contribute effectively to the economy, following data showing that many visa holders had not transitioned into graduate-level employment as intended.
In addition, the Immigration Skills Charge (ISC) — a fee paid by employers who sponsor skilled foreign workers — will rise by 32%. This is the first increase since 2017, and the government says the additional revenue will be used to invest in training British workers and reduce reliance on overseas recruitment. The Parliamentary process to formalise the increase is set to begin later this week.
The UK has also announced that overseas students may face an additional fee, further increasing the cost of studying in the country. Tuition fees for undergraduate degrees are already set to rise by 3.1% for the 2025/26 academic year, from £9,250 to £9,535.
Moreover, stricter English language requirements will soon apply to international students seeking to study, work, or settle in the UK.
Recent data indicates a decline in the number of foreign students choosing the UK as a study destination in 2024. This follows the January 2024 immigration rule change that barred most students from bringing dependants, except those enrolled in postgraduate research programmes or government-funded courses.
