Influencer’s message DON’T GO TO UK to study is simply careless generalisation and assuming that all students have same aspirations.

The relentless pressure to feed social media algorithms drives influencers to constantly chase new trends. This demand to stay relevant often leads to exhaustion and poor judgment, resulting in tone-deaf posts, or controversial statements.

Assuming the entire market is homogenous rather than segmented is known as the “majority fallacy”. This is a common mistake made by this influencer, who fails to consider the diverse reasons why Indian students go overseas. While it is true that many students aspire to obtain a permanent residency, this is not how the UK has been marketed as a destination. Furthermore, the argument that spouses of postgraduate students cannot join their partners is not that applicable to Indian students, as less than 10% of postgraduate students are married. No UK university campus in India has been established to target these students who would rather have gone to the UK campus. Indian campuses are yet to deliver at this stage and certainly don’t yet offer the same type of campus experience or even interaction with students from around the world. The faculties for the campuses are also still being found.

The influencer’s narrative fails when he suggests that studying at these campuses as a preferred option when asking the students not to go to UK as there will not be easier PR or migration. If there is limited employment or settlement potential after studying in the UK, how does studying at the campus in India benefit the student who may be looking at working overseas?

The influencer also fails to mention that the post-study work provisions for graduating Indian students have not significantly changed in UK. Previously, students had 24 months of work permission, which will now be reduced to 18 months without a salary threshold. I know of many Indian students, particularly undergraduates, who choose to study at leading UK universities and are satisfied with the post-study work to gain experience before returning to their family businesses or entering the global workforce. For students aspiring for permanent residency (not just work permits or post-study work), there are several other study destinations with clearer skill shortages and point tests. Most of these are skewed towards STEM and healthcare areas. Has the influencer not noticed how students go to the US even when they are aware that obtaining permanent residency (Green Card) may take 20 years?

Not all students think alike, and to advise all students not to go to the UK is lacking in understanding of the reasons why Indian students go overseas to study. I am sorry Sarthak Ahuja but clearly you miss understanding the reasons why Indians go overseas to study and even if majority may be of one type, they don’t become all. Your post advices all not to go to UK.