While Indian students make for the largest cohorts of international students in the United Kingdom, due to the recent policies for international students, rising living costs and restrictive visa policies have made the country less attractive. There is a decline of 19 per cent in the issue of visas; between October 2023 and September 2024, as many as 392,969 student visas were issued.

Professor Stephen Jarvis, Provost and Vice-Principal, University of Birmingham, was in India to strengthen the academic partnerships between with the Indian institutions. In an email interview, he tells indianexpress.com how they plan to attract international students to the UK and whether they are opening a campus in India.

What is the reason behind your visit to India? Is UoB opening a campus here?

Earlier this week, I was very lucky to be in Goa for a conference on Creating Equitable Educational Partnerships, under the patronage of the Ministry of Education. I was delighted to meet leaders from some of your top higher education institutions, sharing insights and perspectives on educational excellence and building strength through partnership.

The University of Birmingham is not currently planning to open a campus in India. We already work with over 20 universities and institutions in India and are developing new partnerships all the time, most recently with IIT Madras. The university’s former Chancellor, Lord Bilimoria, was instrumental in forming links between UoB and Indian universities, industry and business.

Birmingham’s ‘campus in India’ is therefore much more interconnected, diverse and relevant, than we might otherwise achieve through a single site campus. Birmingham does of course have an international campus in Dubai and this is, understandably, very popular with students from India.

Is there an increase in the number of Indian students in your university? Please share the last 10 years’ data.

We have seen good growth over the last decade and are pleased with the increased number of Indian students choosing to study at Birmingham. We have enrolled 2,600 postgraduate students and 170 undergraduates over the last 3 years. We hope to attract outstanding students to Birmingham, so are focussed on quality not volume.

The University has seen a 10-fold increase in the numbers of Indian students over the last decade – making up a relatively small percentage of our diverse international community, which currently comprises of more than 8,000 students from over 150 countries.

As per some surveys, demand for higher education from a foreign university is growing in smaller towns. Have you seen that surge in the number of applications? 

Higher education demand is rising significantly in India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities, and we are committed to ensuring that pupils from these areas have access to high-quality international education. The University of Birmingham is connecting with these students and providing them with support and scholarships to help them fulfil their academic goals and future ambitions. We have a dedicated India office to support students with the application process, scholarships, and advice on travel.

Do you think the UK government’s new rules like most international students can now no longer bring family members to the UK will affect Indians’ choices? 

The Graduate Route Visa (GRV) was introduced in 2021 and has been a major factor in attracting Indian students to study in the UK. GRV allows international students to stay in the UK for two years after completing their studies (three years for PhD students) to gain valuable work experience. The UK remains an attractive destination for Indian students due to the quality of education, diversity among peers, and fantastic career opportunities. A one-year master’s at a leading UK university can significantly enhance career prospects and future earnings.

Have job prospects for Indian graduates in the UK declined?

No, job prospects for Indian graduates in the UK have not declined. Indian students benefit from UoB’s excellent graduate employment prospects – we are top choice for the UK’s major employers searching for graduate recruits (2024 High Fliers report). The UK also has strong salaries – helping to offset the costs associated with international study.

We also have an excellent Careers Network which supports international students with online courses, employer fairs, workshops, alumni events, bespoke internships, application support, job vacancy boards plus support and coaching for graduates. One-third of employers attending Careers Fairs on campus this year had opportunities for international students.

As per a recent report, almost 30% of Harvard Business students are unemployed, three months after passing. In this regard, how does the UoB support Indians in securing a job during this poor economic situation?

The University of Birmingham provides comprehensive support to Indian and international students, ensuring they remain competitive. Many programmes integrate internships and work placements, giving students hands-on experience to enhance employability. The university emphasizes global readiness by fostering soft skills, cultural adaptability, and preparing students for international job markets.

The University of Birmingham also connects students with its extensive Indian alumni network, offering mentorship and career guidance. The university adapts its support, offering insights into growing sectors and training in high-demand skills like sustainability and data analytics. Additionally, the UK’s Graduate Route Visa enables students to gain valuable work experience post-study, further strengthening their career prospects in the UK and India.

Which programmes have been more popular among Indian students?

STEM disciplines such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Biosciences are consistently popular. Recently, we have seen a surge in interest in Public Health, Data Science, Renewable Energy, and Creative Media. Programs like our fully accredited 4-year pharmacy degree have also seen increasing enrolment among Indian students.

Apart from STEM, what are the emerging courses?

We have new programmes coming on-line all the time which should be of great interest, including Sports Business Management, Digital Media, Data Science and AI, and International Business.

As per the US Open Door report, maths/CS is the first choice among Indian students over traditional branches. In India too, Computer Science Engineering is one of the top choices of engineering students. Is it the same with the local students in the UK and other countries? Would this trend change?

Study programmes in Law, Computer Science, Engineering, Management, Psychology, and Medicine are particularly popular with UK students. We have observed a growing interest among Indian students in courses related to sustainability, climate change, and renewable energy – reflecting global awareness and commitment to addressing environmental challenges. The University of Birmingham has more than 10 cutting-edge programmes in these areas, equipping students with knowledge and skills to make a positive impact. Birmingham is an active participant at the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP) and our students play an important part in this.

What new scholarships will be launched/ provided to international students?

In 2025, we will be celebrating the University of Birmingham’s 125th anniversary. Several scholarships designed especially for Indian students are being offered as part of our mission to foster global education.

To promote an international education and recognise the academic accomplishments of exceptional students, we are currently taking applications for our 125th Anniversary Scholarships , which offer up to £5,000 to Indian students.

To acknowledge exceptional international postgraduate taught (PGT) students, we have established the Chancellor’s Scholarships.

Finally, India High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships (up to £5,000) are significant new scholarships for ringfenced for Indian students.

I would encourage all bright and aspirational students looking for an international education at a top university in the world to consider the University of Birmingham. Aim high!

Neeti Nigam leads the education department at indianexpress.com. She joined the Indian Express in 2015 and has set up the education and job sections in the online department. She covers schools and higher education, entrance and board exams, study abroad, civil services and other career-related news. Prior to that, she worked as a lifestyle and entertainment journalist in The Pioneer newspaper's magazine division. Besides working in the in-flight Air India (Namaskaar) magazine, she was part of the launch team of Indian Railways on-board magazine Rail Bandhu. She has also worked as a city reporter covering north Delhi in Hindustan Times. In 2012, she covered the MCD elections. You can write to her at neeti.nigam@indianexpress.com ... Read More