Student application to the UK have not been impacted by Brexit, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Bharat Joshi said at a meeting on Tuesday. While it was still too early to make a final conclusion about admissions this year, Joshi said that the Commission has been receiving the applications in the same flow as last year. He also said that while the applications have dropped drastically a couple of years ago, ever since there has been an increase of 10 percent applications every year.
"Last year we had a nine percent increase in the applications and we're sure that we will continue to receive an increasing number of applications," Joshi said.
Speaking about Brexit, Joshi said that Indian students don't have to have any apprehensions about studying in the UK because the country is as always welcoming of students especially because of such a large Indian diaspora. "Indians have been going to study in the UK for decades and millions have migrated over the years. So the UK has its doors wide open for Indian students, especially because they are such bright and diligent students," he added.
Brexit dilemma: Bharat Joshi, the Deputy High Commission
He also pointed out that because the exchange rate is low presently because of Brexit, students were pleased and are more keen on applying. However, Joshi said that fewer students from the South were availing the various scholarships that were being offered to Indian students including the Chevening Scholarship. "There is quite a disproportion in comparison to the number of applications we receive from the North," he said.
On whether the UK government will consider reviving the two-year post-study visa that allowed students to stay in the country for two extra years to find jobs after their graduate degree, Joshi said that that is a decision left to the government. "I won't be able to predict the decision regarding that issue but we want to ensure that students find jobs that are connected to their degrees and not just find random jobs. We want students who go to the UK to study and then if they are able to find jobs that connect to their graduation, then, by all means, they can stay. And students are finding jobs," he explained.
Reiterating that Brexit will have absolutely no negative impact on students, Joshi said that largest number of visas applications the UK receives is from India and that has not changed even after Brexit and so the students don't have to worry about feeling at home in the UK.
