Exploring the factors contributing to the decline in the international student supply chain to UK universities in 2024

Authors

  • Ziad Hunaiti Brunel University of London, UK
  • Lubna Sultan Altamimi Anglia Ruskin University, UK

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/3hzsxh31

Keywords:

Immigration and education policy, International student enrolment, International student supply chain, Student visa policy, UK higher education.

Abstract

International student numbers continue to rise, and the UK was historically among the top five English-speaking destinations. However, in 2024, it experienced a significant decline in international student enrollment, with Australia overtaking it in global rankings. This decline, contemporaneous with a spike in the UK’s anti-immigration political consensus, particularly owing to changes in student visa policies and restrictions on dependents, poses serious economic risks to UK universities, which rely heavily on international tuition fees, the local economies of university towns, and the UK’s long-term global reputation. This systematic mapping review explores causative factors from 32 published news articles categorized through the political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental (PESTLE) framework. The findings show that political, economic, social, and legal/regulatory issues—such as visa restrictions, increased costs, and stricter immigration rules—are key drivers. The results offer actionable insights and recommendations for UK policymakers and higher education institutions.

Author Biographies

  • Ziad Hunaiti, Brunel University of London, UK

    ZIAD HUNAITI, HECert, HND, BSc, MA, PhD, is the Cambridge University-qualified Coach, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy - UK, and Coaching membership from the Association of Coaching (AC), Dr Hunaiti is currently working as a CEO, an academic, HE international student consultant, external examiner and Coach for a number of universities in the UK and abroad. His research interests within the HE domain include teaching & learning in HE, digital education, mobile & online learning education, integrating research & education, assessment for project and research-based education, and coaching in HE and international student-related research. Email: ziad.hunaiti@gmail.com

  • Lubna Sultan Altamimi, Anglia Ruskin University, UK

    LUBNA SULTAN ALTAMIMI BSc, MBA, is an administrative and operations professional with more than 10 years of experience in training and education management across the United Kingdom and Jordan. She has served as an Administrative Assistant to the director at the Universal Knowledge Academy, where she supports program delivery, staff coordination, and internal quality assurance processes. Lubna holds an MBA (Merit) from Anglia Ruskin University and a BSc in business management from the University of Jordan. Her professional interests include human resource management, organisational development, and supply chain systems. She has conducted research related to international student supply chain challenges in the UK.

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Published

2026-06-15

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Vol. 16 No. 15 (2026): Journal of International Students

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Research Articles (English, regular edition)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Ziad Hunaiti, Lubna Sultan Altamimi

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How to Cite

Hunaiti, Z., & Sultan Altamimi, L. (2026). Exploring the factors contributing to the decline in the international student supply chain to UK universities in 2024. Journal of International Students, 16(15), 161-178. https://doi.org/10.32674/3hzsxh31