The British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s statement that he was open for top Indian talent has come as a relief for Indian students looking to join UK colleges, especially under the cloud of President Trump’s tightening of visa rules to the US.
The US is a popular destination for STEM courses. But with tightening of US visa policies, the interest in UK colleges for STEM courses has gone up slightly. For example, at Collegify, 6 in 10 students applying for UK colleges now shortlist at least one tech-linked programme like data science, AI, robotics, renewable energy, and health analytics compared to four a year ago.
“Many students who would’ve aimed for tier-2 US universities are now looking at leading UK schools like Imperial, Warwick, Manchester, and Bath,” Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder, Collegify, said.
Courses at the intersection of data, sustainability, and technology like AI, cybersecurity, fintech, corporate law, nursing, and climate innovation are driving demand.
There is increasing interest in shorter, intensive MSc programmes which integrate emerging tech skills with industry-relevant modules, according to Piyush Kumar, regional director, South Asia, Canada and Latin America, IDP Education. “This could support quicker career entry and employability.”
“Even though visas are not part of this trade discussion, the visit itself is helping strengthen ties between universities, businesses, and policymakers,” said Saurabh Arora, founder, University Living, about Starmer’s visit.
While the visit does not bring any immediate policy change, it plays an important symbolic and structural role, he said.
University Living’s data also reflects a steady demand for the UK, especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities where more families are exploring global education for the first time.
Experts including Kumar of IDP are seeing some shift happening from the US to the UK due to some policy changes being proposed in the US.
As per the UK Immigration Statistics for the year ending June 2025, Indian nationals received over 98,000 sponsored study visas for main applicants. Indian nationals represent the second largest recipients of UK study visas globally.
UK colleges come to India
The UK PM’s visit also saw several UK institutes announcing plans to set up campuses in India. “The Prime Minister confirmed that the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey have been given approval to open new campuses in India,” stated a release issued by the UK government.
“The UK’s network of international campuses in India is growing - the University of Southampton opened a campus in Delhi earlier this year,” it further stated. The University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Coventry will open campuses from as early as next year, it added.
“Initiatives like British universities opening campuses in India and expanded research collaboration are expected to gather momentum,” said Rahul Subramaniam, founder, Athena Education.
Prime Minister Starmer has noted that it wants to attract top talent, which plays directly to Indian students’ strengths, said Subramaniam.
The demand for STEM and tech-related courses has risen significantly over the past few intakes, especially after the UK launched its Graduate Route, experts said. The Graduate Route allows students to stay and work for two years after completing their degree.
The US is a popular destination for STEM courses. But with tightening of US visa policies, the interest in UK colleges for STEM courses has gone up slightly. For example, at Collegify, 6 in 10 students applying for UK colleges now shortlist at least one tech-linked programme like data science, AI, robotics, renewable energy, and health analytics compared to four a year ago.
“Many students who would’ve aimed for tier-2 US universities are now looking at leading UK schools like Imperial, Warwick, Manchester, and Bath,” Adarsh Khandelwal, co-founder, Collegify, said.
Courses at the intersection of data, sustainability, and technology like AI, cybersecurity, fintech, corporate law, nursing, and climate innovation are driving demand.
There is increasing interest in shorter, intensive MSc programmes which integrate emerging tech skills with industry-relevant modules, according to Piyush Kumar, regional director, South Asia, Canada and Latin America, IDP Education. “This could support quicker career entry and employability.”
“Even though visas are not part of this trade discussion, the visit itself is helping strengthen ties between universities, businesses, and policymakers,” said Saurabh Arora, founder, University Living, about Starmer’s visit.
While the visit does not bring any immediate policy change, it plays an important symbolic and structural role, he said.
University Living’s data also reflects a steady demand for the UK, especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 Indian cities where more families are exploring global education for the first time.
Experts including Kumar of IDP are seeing some shift happening from the US to the UK due to some policy changes being proposed in the US.
As per the UK Immigration Statistics for the year ending June 2025, Indian nationals received over 98,000 sponsored study visas for main applicants. Indian nationals represent the second largest recipients of UK study visas globally.
UK colleges come to India
The UK PM’s visit also saw several UK institutes announcing plans to set up campuses in India. “The Prime Minister confirmed that the University of Lancaster and the University of Surrey have been given approval to open new campuses in India,” stated a release issued by the UK government.
“The UK’s network of international campuses in India is growing - the University of Southampton opened a campus in Delhi earlier this year,” it further stated. The University of York, University of Aberdeen, University of Bristol, University of Liverpool, Queen’s University Belfast, and the University of Coventry will open campuses from as early as next year, it added.
“Initiatives like British universities opening campuses in India and expanded research collaboration are expected to gather momentum,” said Rahul Subramaniam, founder, Athena Education.
Prime Minister Starmer has noted that it wants to attract top talent, which plays directly to Indian students’ strengths, said Subramaniam.
The demand for STEM and tech-related courses has risen significantly over the past few intakes, especially after the UK launched its Graduate Route, experts said. The Graduate Route allows students to stay and work for two years after completing their degree.
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