Tag: International Students

Decline of 5% in UK Study Visas in 2023—Impact on International Students?

The UK Home Office reported that sponsored study visas for main applicants decreased by 5% between 2022 and 2023.

The dip is the first decrease of international student visas in the UK since 2020, albeit the overall amount remains much higher than in 2019.

What are the figures and implications for business school applicants seeking study visas in the UK? Here is our analysis.

The overseas study boom in the United Kingdom may be waning

The number of visas given to main applicants (i.e., not dependents such as spouses and children) decreased by 5%, from 484,140 in 2022 to 457,673 in 2023.

There is no need for overseas students to panic. The rate of rejection has not increased appreciably. Not only did the number of visas granted fall, but so did the number of applications, which declined by 3% year on year.

Prior to this, these figures had been steadily climbing since 2020, resulting in what many termed a “boom” in overseas study in the UK.

Of course, this boom cannot last forever, and many may view these developments as an unavoidable plateau as students’ interest wanes.

However, recent adjustments to visa requirements in the UK may reduce the number of international students even further.

Incoming policy reforms concerning dependents may accentuate this declining trend

Effective January 2024, only research-based postgraduate students will be allowed to bring dependents to the UK.

It was logical to expect applicants to rush to apply for visas before the deadline, but the data show that this was not the case.

On the contrary, the reduction in visas was particularly severe between the third and fourth quarters of 2023.

This trimester typically sees a large drop, with the majority of the year’s visas issued to applicants in Q3 in preparation for fall enrollment. However, in 2022, the number of visas issued fell by 75% between Q3 and Q4, and in 2023, it fell by 83%.

This implies that interest in international studies in the UK was declining regardless of legislative changes; nonetheless, this may continue to have an impact in the future.

What might overseas students expect in 2024?

Due to decreased eligibility, the number of dependents traveling to the UK on sponsored study visas is expected to drop dramatically by 2024.

In 2023, about 25% of visas were awarded to dependents, potentially impacting the number of main applicants arriving to the UK.

If you intend to study a postgraduate business degree in the United Kingdom and do not have dependents who wish to accompany you, your plans may be unaffected.

However, if you have a spouse, children, or other dependents, this may have an impact on your long-term study and career plans in the UK.

April 4, 2024
Top 7 Scholarships in Belgium for Foreign Students

Many people are unaware that Belgium provides a variety of scholarship programs for international students, particularly those from developing countries. To foster development cooperation, the Belgian government offers scholarships to overseas students who want to continue their education in Belgium. International students can benefit from scholarship programs at Belgian universities, which are ranked among the top 100 in the world.

1. VLIR-UOS Training and Master’s Scholarship

VLIR-UOS offers scholarships to students from selected poor countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to pursue development-related training or master’s degrees in Belgian universities. Tuition, housing, allowance, travel, and other program-related expenses are fully covered by the scholarships.

2. Government of Flanders Master Mind Scholarships

The Flemish government has created a new scholarship program dubbed Master Mind Scholarships, which aims to promote globalization in Flemish higher education. It awards up to 35 scholarships to exceptional Master’s students from throughout the world. The prospective student is offered a scholarship worth up to 7,500 Euro each academic year. The Flemish Host Institution may charge the applicant a maximum tuition fee of 100 Euro per year.

3. Liege Heritage Foundation Scholarships

Liege University offers scholarships to both EU and non-EU students pursuing Master’s or PhD degrees at the university.

4. ARES Scholarships

Each year, the ARES provides 150 master’s scholarships and 70 training scholarships to developing-country nationals. The scholarship covers overseas travel, living expenses, tuition, insurance, and accommodations.

5. Belgian American Education Foundation Fellowships

The Belgian American Educational Foundation (B.A.E.F.) is seeking applications from US citizens or permanent residents for one-year fellowships in advanced study or research at a Belgian university or institution of higher learning. The B.A.E.F. will award up to 10 fellowships, each with a stipend of $28,000 for master’s or doctorate students and $32,000 for postdoctoral fellows.

6. Science@Leuven Scholarships

The Science@Leuven Scholarship is designed for ambitious and bright international students who want to pursue an international master’s degree at K.U.Leuven’s Faculty of Science. The scholarship might be valued up to 10,000 euros over one year. The scholarship always covers one year’s tuition, insurance, and the minimal health insurance coverage. The amount awarded for living expenses can vary.

7. University of Ghent Doctoral Scholarships

The University of Ghent provides PhD scholarships to promising PhD students from developing countries who choose to do half of their research at Ghent University and half at a university in another developing country.

March 14, 2024
What to Know About Insurance for International Students Studying in Australia
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a type of health insurance in Australia designed specifically for international students. OSHC is insurance that helps overseas students cover the costs of medical and hospital treatment they may require while in Australia. Because of these restrictions, overseas students should obtain their Australian international student health insurance before leaving their home country.

Who Must Purchase OSHC?

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship requires all student visa holders and their dependents to retain OSHC for the duration of their stay in Australia.

There are a few exceptions to this rule:

Belgians Students

You do not need to acquire OSHC because they are covered by the Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.

Swedish Students

You do not need to purchase OSHC because they are covered by the National Board of Student Air or Kammarkollegiet. If neither plan covers it, Swedish international students must acquire OSHC insurance.

Norwegian Students

You do not need to acquire OSHC because they are covered by the Norwegian National Insurance Scheme.

Who purchases OSHC?

OSHC is purchased by your education provider, or you can select your own OSHC-approved provider and pay for the insurance yourself. It is critical that, regardless of who purchases it, you retain continuous coverage throughout your stay in Australia. This is especially true for students who are studying at two distinct universities that arrange insurance on the overseas student’s behalf.

Which insurers offer OSHC?

Currently, there are 5 insurers that offer OSHC which can be purchased through your academic institution or directly on your own:
- Australian Health Management
- BUPA Australia
- Medibank Private
- Allianz Global Assistance (subcontracted by Lysaght Peoplecare)
- nib OSHC
What does OSHC cover?

The OSHC plan is intended to cover overseas students who require treatment in a doctor’s office, hospital, or for limited prescription drugs. Coverage varies depending on the plan you select, so contact each OSHC provider to ensure you have the coverage you require.

Ask about waiting periods, exclusions, and other plan limits. The OSHC insurance plan does not cover any treatment planned before of arrival in Australia, treatment to and from Australia, or transportation into or out of Australia. OSHC does not often cover dental, optical, or physiotherapy services.

You have OSHC coverage in Australia, but you desire coverage on your flight or if you plan to travel to other overseas destinations. After all, New Zealand and Fiji are only around the corner. Consider getting Australian international student health insurance so that you are covered if your OSHC plan terminates. Prices for travel medical coverage are updated daily, and you can apply directly online.

Proof of Insurance

When you submit your application, you will be asked to show evidence of payment as well as confirmation that your OSHC coverage commences when you arrive in Australia.
February 23, 2024
Canadian Province Announces 2-Year Ban on International Students

A Canadian province, British Columbia, has prohibited tertiary institutions from admitting international students for the next two years.

This decision is consistent with the Canadian government’s overall goal to impose a national cap to limit the entry of overseas students.

Federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently informed the decision, highlighting the goal of reducing the number of new student visas issued by 35 percent for the current fiscal year.

The move is part of an effort to combat “exploitative practices” in the educational system.

The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby, emphasized the necessity of addressing challenges within the international education system, recognizing its critical position in the province’s social and economic frameworks.

“Our province has a diverse range of private institutions, both large and small, but our expectations for excellence remain same regardless of size.

“There are institutions that are not meeting our expectations right now,” he went on to say.

It was discovered that in the first half of 2023, approximately 18,000 study licenses were awarded to Nigerians in Canada, outnumbering all other countries save India.

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data, India (175,021), Nigeria (43,482), the Philippines (21,902), China (14,975), and Nepal (12,776) were the top five source countries for new international students in Canada in the first half of 2023.

Meanwhile, Canada has raised the cost of living Proof of Funds criteria for study permit applicants from other countries, including Nigeria, by 106.4% to $20,635.

This new policy applies to new study permit applications received on or after January 1, 2024.

January 31, 2024
10 Prestigious Scholarships for the Best International Students

If you are an international student who is intelligent, skilled, or ambitious, the top scholarships are available to you. Here is a list of the ten most prestigious international scholarship programs available to the world’s brightest international students.

Government-funded International Scholarships

Fulbright Scholarships (USA)
The Fulbright Scholarship Program is the United States Government’s main international exchange scholarship program with 155 nations. Approximately 1,800 Fulbright scholarships are offered each year to outstanding foreign students wishing to pursue a Masters or PhD degree in the United States. The Fulbright Scholarship Program covers tuition, textbooks, flights, a living stipend, and health insurance for the period of the study.

Chevening Scholarships (UK)
The Chevening Scholarships are the British Government’s flagship global scholarship program. Every year, it awards scholarships to over 1000 outstanding students from over 130 countries who want to continue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom. Chevening Scholarships are full scholarships that cover tuition, a monthly stipend, different one-time allowances, and international travel to and from the United Kingdom.

Australia Awards Scholarships (Australia)
Australia Awards Scholarships, formerly known as Australian Development Scholarships (ADS), offer full-time undergraduate or postgraduate study at participating Australian universities and Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions to people from developing countries, particularly those in the Indo-Pacific region.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme (France)
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program seeks to attract the top international students for master’s and doctoral degree programs at participating French universities. Eiffel scholarship recipients receive a monthly stipend that does not cover tuition. Furthermore, the scholarship covers a variety of extra fees such as a return trip, health insurance, and cultural activities.

University-funded International Scholarships

Gates Cambridge Scholarships (UK)
The Gates Cambridge Scholarships are one of the most prominent international scholarships available to international students worldwide. The scholarships are full-fee prizes for graduate study and research at the University of Cambridge in any discipline. The award covers academic fees, living expenses, flights, and other expenses. Each year, approximately 100 new Gates Scholars are named.

Clarendon Scholarships at University of Oxford (UK)
The Clarendon Scholarship Fund is a prestigious graduate scholarship initiative at the University of Oxford that awards approximately 140 new scholarships each year to qualified graduate applicants (including overseas students).Clarendon Scholarships are awarded at the University of Oxford on the basis of academic excellence and promise in all degree-bearing subjects at the graduate level. The scholarships cover the full cost of tuition and college fees, as well as a significant grant for living expenses.

Knight-Hennesy Scholars Program at Stanford University (USA)
The Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford University cultivates a diverse, multidisciplinary community of future leaders from around the world and guides them as they prepare to confront society’s challenging concerns. The grants are for full-time Masters and PhD programs at Stanford in any subject. Knight-Hennessy Scholars are awarded a fellowship that is applied immediately to tuition and fees, a stipend for living and academic expenses, and a travel grant.

Schwarzman Scholars Program at Tsinghua University (China)
Schwarzman Scholars is the first scholarship developed to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the twenty-first century, with the goal of preparing the next generation of global leaders. Through a one-year Master’s Degree at Tsinghua University, the program will provide the world’s top and brightest students with the opportunity to strengthen their leadership abilities and professional networks. Tuition and fees, lodging and board, travel to and from Beijing at the start and conclusion of the academic year, an in-country study tour, required course materials and supplies, a Lenovo laptop and smartphone, health insurance, and a modest personal stipend are all covered by the scholarship.

Institute-funded International Scholarships

Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants (Various Countries)
Rotary Foundation Global Grant scholarships are available from the Rotary Foundation. For one to four academic years, the grant pays for graduate-level courses or research. A global grant scholarship has a minimum budget of $30,000.

Joint Japan World Bank Scholarships (Various Countries)
The Joint Japan World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP) funds graduate studies leading to a master’s degree at prestigious universities around the world for students from developing nations. Scholars are expected to return home and contribute to their country’s progress. The award covers travel expenses, tuition, and a monthly stipend.

June 30, 2023