5 Things you must try if you study in the UK
Explore the top five things that you have to experience as an international student in the UK. You may be surprised by the wide variety of sights, sounds and experiences to be had.
STUDYINUK
All the latest news and advice for prospective & current international students, keeping you informed on your education journey.
LATEST NEWS
London's Bloomsbury Institute Loses Licence to Sponsor International Students
London's Bloomsbury Institute has had its licence to sponsor international students revoked by the UK Home Office, effective 5 August 2026. The institution failed the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA), falling short on visa refusal rates and student enrolment and completion thresholds. The same metrics now enforced across all UK student sponsors under tightened compliance standards introduced in June 2026.
Currently enrolled sponsored students will be supported for a short period, with a small number expected to transfer to another institution. The Bloomsbury Institute cannot sponsor new international student applications and must wait 18 months before reapplying for a licence.
Canada PGWP Refusals What International Students Must Know
Over 1,500 international graduates in Canada have had Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) applications refused after completing non-credit continuing education courses at Portage College in Alberta. Students say they were promised PGWP eligibility upon enrolment in 2024. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintains the rule excluding non-credit programmes has always been in place, though critics argue the guidance was never explicitly stated.
What to Check Before You Enrol
Only credit-bearing programmes at designated learning institutions (DLIs) qualify for PGWP eligibility. Before accepting any offer, verify your programme's PGWP status directly on the IRCC website and seek advice from a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC).
Trump's Proposed $100,000 OPT Fee
The Trump administration is reportedly weighing a $100,000 fee on Optional Practical Training (OPT), the post-graduation work programme that allows international students to remain in the US for up to three years. The proposal is still under consideration and has not been formally announced. If enacted, it would effectively price most students out of the programme entirely.
OPT is widely regarded as the primary reason international students choose the US, with nearly 295,000 participants in 2024/25. Over half of current postgraduate students say they would not have enrolled at an American university without it. With US policy uncertainty already driving a decline in international applications, students are advised to weigh their options carefully.
Global HE Growth Emerging Destinations Study Abroad Opportunities
Higher education is experiencing unprecedented global growth. UNESCO's first Higher Education Global Trends Report reveals that global enrolment has reached 269 million students, more than doubling over the past two decades. International student mobility has tripled to 7.3 million students, opening new opportunities for prospective international students. Whilst traditional destinations remain popular, emerging study destinations are attracting growing numbers of international students seeking quality education, affordability, and diverse experiences.
The Global Growth Story
Global higher education participation now represents 43% of the population of typical higher education age. This expansion reflects increasing demand for higher education worldwide. However, significant regional disparities persist, with participation rates ranging from 80% in Western Europe and North America to just 9% in sub-Saharan Africa. This growth creates unprecedented opportunities for international students to access quality education globally.
Emerging Destinations on the Rise
International student mobility remains concentrated among traditional destinations, yet emerging destinations are gaining significant traction. Turkey and the United Arab Emirates have experienced at least fivefold growth over the past decade, whilst Argentina, China, Egypt, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea are increasingly popular destinations. Additionally, intra-regional mobility is growing, with students from Latin America and the Caribbean increasingly studying within the region, and Arab students choosing Gulf countries over traditional Western destinations.
Canada Study Permits Decline What Students Need to Know
Canada's study permit approvals fell 64% year-on-year in 2025, with the overall approval rate dropping to just 36%. For prospective international students, this creates both challenges and opportunities. Whilst lower demand means better admission chances at universities, visa approval rates have become significantly more stringent and vary dramatically by country and programme type.
Canada approved approximately 73,800 new students in 2025, just 25% of its stated target. Approval rates vary substantially: Indian students face 25-27%, whilst Chinese students see 75%. Programme level matters significantly, Indian university applicants achieve 33% approval versus 14% for college applicants. Visa officers scrutinise financial assets and proof of intent to leave Canada after studies, with over 75% of refusals citing these concerns.
How to Strengthen Your Application
Prospective students can improve their chances by choosing university programmes over college programmes, ensuring comprehensive financial documentation, and providing clear evidence of intent to return home after graduation. Work with experienced education agents familiar with current approval trends. Institutions are increasingly investing in better pre-screening tools and visa application support, so selecting universities with robust support systems enhances your prospects.
African Students Face Real Barriers in Accessing US Education
Four months after President Trump's expanded travel ban, African students face unprecedented barriers to accessing US education. Visa processing delays, policy uncertainty, and concerns about post-study work pathways have created what experts describe as an "illusion of access", while US education remains theoretically available, practical barriers make it significantly more challenging. For prospective African students, understanding these obstacles is essential for making informed decisions about your study abroad future.
Visa Backlogs and Policy Uncertainty
The current visa processing landscape presents significant challenges for African students. Countries like Nigeria already face substantial visa backlogs due to high demand and limited appointment availability. With months of halted or restricted processing, the system is now under even greater strain. Trump's expanded travel ban has created additional uncertainty, making it difficult to predict processing timelines or policy changes. Even if policies were to ease, a critical question remains: who actually gets access? The combination of limited visa appointments, processing delays, and policy unpredictability means that African students face significantly longer waiting periods compared to applicants from other regions.
Beyond the Visa: Post-Study Work and Career Concerns
Beyond visa challenges, African students increasingly face questions about life after graduation. What happens to post-study work pathways like OPT (Optional Practical Training)? How stable are employment prospects in an unpredictable immigration landscape? For many international students, education abroad is not just about earning a degree; it is about building a life, gaining experience, and creating career opportunities. When post-study work pathways become uncertain, the entire value proposition of US education shifts. Before committing to US education, African students should carefully evaluate career prospects and consider whether alternative destinations with clearer post-study work pathways might better serve their long-term goals.
The UK has confirmed its new points-based visa system, which requires international students (EU and non-EU) to have 70 points upon entering the country, will be launched from October 5 th , 2020. This system will replace the Tier 4 visa route which currently only applies to non-EU students and has been implemented earlier than the expected January 2021 date. We’re going to run you through the specifics of these changes and how this might impact you
Explore the top five things that you have to experience as an international student in the UK. You may be surprised by the wide variety of sights, sounds and experiences to be had.
Explore some of the top things that you have to try as an international student in Canada. This includes everything from eating local cuisine to visiting the top attractions.
