Cardiff University plans to open its “first overseas branch” in Kazakhstan next year amid falling numbers of higher paying international students coming here. The university, like others, has been affected by a drop in lucrative international students and other financial pressures impacting higher education.
The “new branch” in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, will offer degree programmes in subjects including education, engineering, and IT. Cardiff is the first Russell Group presence in Kazakhstan. Vice-Chancellor, Professor Wendy Larner, said: “There is significant detail to work through – including, crucially, a due diligence programme to conclude – but all being well, we will sign an official agreement in February, 2025, and hope to welcome our first cohort of students in September, 2025.”
Professor Larner confirmed the number of applications from international students to study at Cardiff and other Welsh universities fell this year. The decline has been blamed on stricter visa rules barring international students bringing family members with them to live in the UK. You can get more story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here
Cardiff, like most universities, relies heavily on the far higher fees charged to international students. Vice chancellors around the UK have warned that the income subsidises home tuition fees, despite rises, including two this year alone in Wales and you can read more about that here .
Announcing the plans to move into Kazakhstan, Professor Larner said Cardiff University is also trying to strengthen links with other countries: “Whilst our lifeblood is Wales, if we are to survive these difficult political winds and acute sector-wide financial challenges our outlook must always remain outward, inclusive and global,” she said.
“Transnational education – a key plank of our new strategy – is an example of us being ambitious as an institution, moving into new areas of activity, and forging deeper and more meaningful educational engagement and partnerships with key institutions overseas. It offers a more sustainable way to provide education, avoiding the need for students to travel repeatedly to us, and often at a reduced cost for the student. It offers the opportunity to co-create education programmes with local providers, broadening our own perspectives.”
Over the last few months Cardiff University has been “laying foundations” with new and existing partners in a range of countries. Professor Larner said opportunities had been “identified” in China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and USA, as well as Kazakhstan. This would help Cardiff build its brand, extend its global reach and mean greater opportunities for research and education, Professor Larner said. She also hoped that by taking the university global that would also boost the profile of Wales generally.
Subject to “comprehensive due diligence”, the aim is to start with education programmes in Astana from September, 2025, onwards. Professor Larner said the (previous Conservative UK government's )changes to Visa rules, which the new Labour government has said it won't change, had impacted universities..
"The number of international students applying for visas to study in the UK dropped significantly this summer. Official Home Office figures showed fewer visa applications between July and September than in the same period in 2023 and the drop in numbers is unevenly experienced across the sector.
"This was matched by a decline in the number of applications from international students to study at Cardiff and at other Welsh universities. The reasons for these drops are well documented: from the negative UK political narrative directed towards immigration, to policy driven change which meant most international students were banned from bringing family members to live in the UK.
"This has led to many working in higher education to conclude the sector’s standing as a top study destination is “under threat”. The figures also confirmed our worst fears that the previous UK government’s changes have made the UK – and Wales – a less attractive study destination, damaging already severely stretched university finances still further."
