Postgraduate Courses in Business and AI See Record Increases in UK University Acceptances

UK Business Schools Recover from 2024 Setbacks with Increased International Interest

UK universities are warmly welcoming international students, with new data from UniQuest showing a 31% increase in firm acceptances in January 2025 compared to 2024. The surge is particularly notable among MBA and business master’s students, especially in business and management postgraduate courses, which saw a 17% year-on-year rise. Jennifer Parsons, chief market and partnerships officer at UniQuest, noted that most January intakes are in business and management postgraduate programs, reflecting demand from key markets. She also highlighted a notable rise in acceptances for computing postgraduate courses, especially in AI and data science.

Parsons noted that in January 2024, demand for these subjects was impacted by market conditions in countries like India and Nigeria. However, in 2025, interest from India and other South Asian markets surged. She also highlighted that 2024 had been a challenging year for international recruitment due to policy changes and economic issues, such as the collapse of the Nigerian Naira.

UniQuest called the increase in acceptances a "resurgence in interest" and a "strong start" for UK higher education in 2025, following a challenging year for the British education sector due to policy changes and new visa restrictions. In 2024, UK business schools saw significant declines in international applications, mainly due to visa changes limiting students from bringing dependents. A survey of business school deans found that 90% reported a drop in non-EU applications, with 70% noting a "significant" decrease. Other popular destinations for English-speaking international students, like Canada and Australia, have also tightened student visa regulations. Canada reduced its international study permit cap by 10% for 2025 and 2026, while Australia increased visa application fees and further tightened processing rules.

Parsons attributed the rise in UK acceptances to policy changes in competitor markets, such as Canada's visa caps and Australia's complex visa process, making the UK appear more welcoming. She noted that UK institutions were responding by making offers more quickly, which contributed to the increase in firm acceptances. Additionally, in July 2024, the UK higher education sector saw another positive development when the Labour government confirmed it would maintain the popular Graduate Route two-year visa, which had previously faced criticism.

UK universities experienced a resurgence in international student acceptances, particularly for business, management, AI, and data science postgraduate courses, due to policy changes in competing markets and improved UK institutional responses, which is a good sign for the future.

Editor's Note:

The increase in international student acceptances signals a pivotal moment for the UK higher education sector. After a challenging 2024, marked by visa restrictions and shifting global dynamics, the UK has managed to reverse the trend with a notable recovery. This positive change is largely attributed to the country’s swift response to global policy shifts and its strategic focus on high-demand fields such as business, management, artificial intelligence (AI), and data science. As global competition for international students intensifies, the UK’s ability to maintain its leadership in higher education will depend on its continued adaptability. The country must stay ahead of global trends, offering flexible, cutting-edge programs that meet the evolving needs of international students while also navigating the challenges posed by shifting geopolitical and economic conditions.

Skoobuzz believes that how the UK continues to respond to these global shifts will ultimately determine its long-term success as a leading global education hub.