LONDON: The number of Indian students taking up places at universities in England has registered a significant drop, highlighting the adverse impact of the British government's tightening student visa regime.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) found in its latest report titled 'Global Demand for English Higher Education' that there was a notable decline in the number of entrants from South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The number of Indian students fell from 18,535 in 2010-11 to 13,250 in 2011-12 and further to 10,235 in 2012-13.

In 2010-11, the number of Pakistani students was 4,580, but this fell by 38 percent to 2,825 in 2012-13.

The report said the fall in overseas students was particularly noticeable in the postgraduate market.

The reductions in entrants since 2010-11 from India was a whopping 51 percent with 7,000 students and Pakistan was 49 per cent with 1,400 students.

The report also found a corresponding hike in students from India going to the U.S. and Australia, indicating a clear case of flight away from the UK.

"International students enrich our universities and colleges - and our society - academically, culturally, and through their contribution to the economy," said HEFCE chief executive, Professor Madeleine Atkins.
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