UK Universities Restrict Pakistan, Bangladesh Admissions

Several universities in the United Kingdom have suspended or restricted admissions for students from Pakistan and Bangladesh. This action follows tougher immigration rules introduced by the United Kingdom — Home Office, which reduced the maximum allowable student visa refusal rate for sponsor institutions from 10% to 5%. Visa refusal rates for applicants from Pakistan and Bangladesh significantly exceed this new limit, standing at 18% and 22% respectively. Universities such as University of Chester, University of Wolverhampton, University of East London, University of Sunderland, University Hospital Coventry, University of Hertfordshire, Oxford Brookes University, Glasgow Caledonian University, BPP University, and Osaka Metropolitan University have implemented these restrictions, citing concerns over alleged visa abuse and a surge in asylum claims from international students. Education consultants like Maryem Abbas have criticized these measures, highlighting the 'heartbreaking' impact on genuine students and issues with recruitment agents. Venice International University has advised institutions to diversify recruitment and strengthen application checks to comply with the new regulations.