The University of Derby has suspended applications from students based in Pakistan and Bangladesh, meaning new applicants from both countries will not be able to apply to the university until at least Autumn 2026.
Why has this happened?
The decision follows the UK government's tightening of visa compliance rules, including the lowering of visa refusal thresholds. As visa refusal rates for Pakistan and Bangladesh are far above the new threshold, Derby has made the difficult decision to pause recruitment from these two countries while it reviews its processes.
Under measures set out in the government's immigration white paper, universities must now maintain a visa refusal rate below 5%, reduced from the previous 10%. Institutions must also maintain a course enrolment rate of at least 95% and a course completion rate of 90%. Universities that do not meet these Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) targets risk losing their licence to sponsor international students.
Is Derby the only university doing this?
Derby is not alone. A number of UK universities have introduced similar restrictions in response to rising visa refusal rates and the new Home Office compliance requirements. The situation is changing regularly, so students are advised to check directly with their chosen university or speak to us for the most up-to-date information.
What does this mean for students who already hold a CAS from Derby?
Any student who has already received their Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from the University of Derby will still be able to proceed with their visa application. The pause only applies to new applicants.
What should Pakistani and Bangladeshi students do now?
The suspension does not mean that studying in the UK is no longer possible. Hundreds of UK universities continue to welcome international students from Pakistan and Bangladesh. However, it is more important than ever to apply carefully, choose the right university partner, and make sure your application is as strong as possible.
At Atava Education and Training, we work directly with a wide range of UK universities and can guide you through which institutions are currently accepting applications from your country, what visa requirements you need to meet, and how to build a successful student visa application.
If you are a student from Pakistan or Bangladesh and would like advice on your UK study options, please contact our team today.
News source: PIE News