The United Kingdom (UK) has through Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, revealed in an exclusive interview with Newsmen on Sunday in Abuja that only Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students would be eligible to bring dependents into the country.
The policy alteration, enacted earlier this year, marks a departure from previous practices aimed at curbing the influx of foreign students accompanied by dependents. Dr. Montgomery emphasized that the surge in dependents was exerting unsustainable pressure on UK universities, particularly in terms of accommodation, access to medical services, and schooling.
While discussing the rationale behind the policy change, Dr. Montgomery highlighted the challenges faced by universities due to burgeoning student populations. He noted that the restrictions primarily apply to undergraduate and short-term master’s degree students, exempting those pursuing long-term research degrees such as PhDs or doctorates.
The statistics provided by Dr. Montgomery showed a huge increase in the number of dependents accompanying foreign students. For instance, the number of dependents from Nigeria surged from one and a half thousand in 2019 to fifty-two thousand in 2022, representing a thirty-fold increase. Similar rises were observed among students from other countries, including India.
Regarding the impact of the policy change on undergraduates, Dr. Montgomery stated that it was premature to assess its full implications. However, he anticipated that the forthcoming academic year, commencing in September 2024, would provide valuable insights into the effects of the revised regulations.
Dr. Montgomery stated the continued strong demand for UK education, evidenced by a significant rise in study visa applications. He expressed pride in the UK’s higher education sector, which boasts 17 of the top 100 universities globally, and emphasized the importance of sustaining this demand.
Looking ahead, Dr. Montgomery acknowledged the role of external factors such as currency fluctuations in shaping accessibility to UK education. Nonetheless, he remained optimistic that the majority of prospective students would continue to pursue their academic aspirations in the UK, albeit without dependents.
