Overview
- On Thursday, June 4, 2026 the Home Office announced a package of reforms that raises sponsorship standards and creates stronger enforcement for institutions that recruit overseas students.
- Under the new rules universities must meet a 90% course completion rate and a 95% course enrolment rate for sponsored students to keep their sponsorship privileges.
- A public traffic-light rating system will begin in summer 2027, with underperforming institutions placed on 12-month improvement plans and 'red' schools facing limits on new recruits.
- The Home Office said 10,835 study-visa holders claimed asylum in the year to March 2026 and that student asylum claims fell about 30% year-on-year, which officials cite as a reason for tougher oversight.
- Universities UK warned the sector needs policy stability, real-time data sharing and support because international students supply around £37 billion in earnings and sudden enrolment drops have already forced cost cuts and job losses.