Indian students made up nearly one-third of all sponsored study grants in the UK, marking them as the largest group among international applicants. Official data from the UK Home Office reveals that in the year ending June 2023, a total of 3,287,404 visas were granted, representing a substantial 58% increase from the preceding year ending June 2022.
Specifically, there were 498,626 sponsored study visas issued to main applicants in the fiscal year ending June 2023, marking a notable 23% rise compared to the fiscal year ending June 2022. Within this figure, Indian nationals secured 142,848 of these study visas, showcasing an impressive surge of 54% over the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, grants for Indian students have experienced remarkable growth since the fiscal year ending June 2019 and are presently nearly seven times higher.
Chinese nationals were the second-largest group, with 107,670 sponsored study visas granted in the fiscal year ending June 2023.
The majority of Certificate of Acceptance (CAS) used, which stands at 91%, were for sponsored study programs at higher education institutions, with the remaining visas distributed among tertiary and further education colleges (4%), independent schools (3%), English language schools (2%), and other institutions (1%).
Additionally, approximately 24% of all sponsored study-related visas were allocated to dependents of students, totaling 154,063, a significant rise from the 17% (80,846) recorded in the year ending June 2022.
It's important to note that the 'Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies' (CAS) is a crucial component in the application process for sponsored study visas, with a CAS being considered 'used' when an applicant receives a decision on their visa application. The Student visa replaced the Tier 4 (General) Student visa as of October 5, 2020, offering a pathway for students aged 16 and older to pursue their studies at approved education providers in the UK.
