The United Kingdom (UK) has made it crystal clear that studying for a master’s degree as a foreigner isn’t enough to bring in dependants into the country.
The UK envoy has stated that only international students coming in for their Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) studies are eligible to bring in dependents to the country.
Dr. Richard Montgomery, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, made this known in an interview with the Newsmen on Sunday, May 5, in Abuja.
Montgomery said that, the educational system policy changed earlier this year for international students in higher education not to bring dependents into the UK so as to curb the increase of foreign student bringing in dependents.
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He explained that the huge surge in dependence was putting unsustainable pressure on many universities.
Furthermore, Montgomery said that before his posting as High Commissioner to Nigeria, he had spoken to some of these universities about the policy change.
However, he noted that the university Chancellors had complained of the huge student populations, highlighting that accommodation was a huge challenge.
Also, access to medical services under the National Health Service and access to school would be a challenge if they brought in dependents.
According to him, the restrictions do not apply to all categories, adding that those doing a long term research degree, like a PhD or doctorate degree, were not affected.
“Those coming to the UK for doctorate can still bring their dependents but if you are coming to the UK with a study visa for an undergraduate degree or short-term master’s degree, I am afraid the rules have been changed.
“People need to understand why this change was brought in, and it is a sensible change because we have a large higher education sector and most of these universities are in towns across the country.
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“There has been a surge recently in demand for British education, and I can give you the macro figures, and there has also been a huge increase in foreign students bringing their dependants.
“In the case of Nigeria, in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, there were only one and a half thousand dependents being brought in from Nigeria, along with those on study visas.
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