International Students In The Uk: A Comprehensive Overview

International students make up a significant proportion of the student population in the UK, and their presence has a notable impact on the country's economy and higher education institutions. In recent years, the UK has been a top global destination for international students, second only to the United States. Let's delve into the statistics and explore the trends in international student enrolment across UK universities.

The number of international students in UK universities

The United Kingdom is one of the world's most desirable destinations for international students, regularly featuring in the top three host countries alongside the United States and Australia. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 758,855 international students enrolled in UK higher education institutions, accounting for 25.8% of all higher education students in the UK. This figure represents a 10.4% increase from the previous year and marks the tenth consecutive record high. The number of international students in UK universities has been steadily increasing since 2020, with the government's target of 600,000 international students by 2030 achieved a decade early.

International students contribute significantly to the UK economy, with London Economics estimating that one cohort of international students in 2018/19 delivered a net benefit of £25.9 billion during their studies. This figure was upgraded to a net benefit of £37.4 billion for the 2021/22 academic year. The economic impact of international students has been rising steadily, with a study by Universities UK International finding an increase from £31.3 billion in 2018/19 to £41.9 billion in 2021/22. International students' tuition fees and living expenses bring substantial benefits to the UK, with higher tuition fees paid by international students helping to cross-subsidise the education of domestic students.

In terms of country of origin, the majority of international students in UK universities come from India, China, and Nigeria, which together account for around 53% of all international students. The number of Indian students has been increasing, with more study visas issued to Indian nationals than Chinese nationals for the first time in 2022. This shift may be due to the UK's aim to diversify its intake and target emerging markets such as India. The number of Nigerian students has also been on the rise, with Nigeria becoming the third most popular domicile for international students in 2020-21. Other countries with significant numbers of students in the UK include the United States, Bangladesh, France, Italy, and Germany.

The distribution of international students across the UK is uneven, with England hosting the majority of international students. In 2020-21, 119,600 EU and 360,660 non-EU students pursued degrees at English universities. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also attract international students, with Scotland having the highest proportion of international students at 28.7% in the 2022/23 academic year.

University College London, the University of Manchester, and the University of Hertfordshire are among the universities with the highest number of international students. London School of Economics, University of the Arts London, and Imperial College London have the highest proportion of international students, with a significant percentage of their intake coming from outside the UK.

The UK's popularity as a study destination is influenced by various factors, including the introduction of the Graduate Route visa, which allows international students to stay and work in the UK for up to three years after completing their degree. Additionally, the UK's high-quality education system, recognition of qualifications internationally, and the opportunity to improve English language skills are attractive features for international students.

The economic impact of international students

In 2022/23, there were 758,855 overseas students enrolled in UK universities, with 95,505 from the EU and 663,355 from non-EU countries. This was the tenth year in a row that international student numbers reached a record high, accounting for 26% of the total student population. The UK has been the second most popular destination for international students after the US, with India, China, and Nigeria as the top three countries with the highest number of students in UK universities.

International students have a significant economic impact on the UK. Their on- and off-campus spending and that of their visitors generated £25.8 billion in gross output for the UK economy, with a gross value added (GVA) contribution of £13.8 billion to the UK's GDP. They also contributed £10.8 billion to the country's export earnings. The economic activities and employment generated by their off-campus spending resulted in £1 billion in tax revenues, which is equivalent to the salaries of 31,700 nurses or 25,000 police officers.

International students' off-campus spending, excluding university fees and accommodation, amounted to £5.4 billion. They also positively impacted other industries, such as transport and retail, contributing £750 million and £690 million, respectively. Their presence supports jobs across the country, sustaining 206,600 full-time equivalent positions.

The top sending countries for international students

The UK is one of the world's most popular destinations for international students, regularly featuring in the top three host countries alongside the US and Australia. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 758,855 international students enrolled at UK universities, making up 26% of the total student population. This number has continued to increase since 2020, with the government meeting its 2030 recruitment target of 600,000 international students ten years early.

In 2021/22, students from India, China, and Nigeria together accounted for around 53% of all international students enrolled at UK universities. The number of students from these three countries has grown significantly in recent years. In 2020/21, new enrolments from India totalled 87,045, a 64.2% increase from the previous year. New enrolments from Nigeria have grown even faster, reaching 32,945 in 2021/22, a 130.9% increase from 2020/21.

Other top sending countries for international students to the UK include the United States, Bangladesh, France, Italy, and Germany. The total number of non-EU students grew by 23.8% in 2021/22, while EU students fell by 21.4%. This shift is partly due to changes in funding rules and visa requirements for EU students.

The UK's popularity among international students has led to concerns about overreliance on tuition fees from these students, particularly from China. There are also concerns about the impact of geopolitical shifts between the UK and China on recruitment. Universities are aiming to diversify their intake by targeting emerging markets in India, South Asia, and Nigeria.

The graduate route visa

To be eligible for the Graduate Route Visa, individuals must have hold a current Tier 4/Student visa and have studied for a minimum period in the UK on that visa. The minimum period of study is 12 months or the full length of the course, whichever is shorter. Students must also have successfully completed their degree and their education provider must notify the Home Office. Additionally, those who are financially sponsored by a government or international scholarship agency must provide a letter of consent from the sponsor organisation.

The application process for the Graduate Route Visa involves an online application, with a fee of £822, and the requirement to prove one's identity and provide necessary documents. The application may take up to 8 weeks to process, and individuals can stay in the UK while awaiting a decision. It is important to note that the Graduate Route Visa cannot be extended, but individuals may be able to switch to a different visa, such as a Skilled Worker visa.

In the year ending March 2024, 139,175 individuals were granted the Graduate Route Visa, with Indian, Nigerian, and Pakistani students forming the top three nationalities. This route provides international students with the opportunity to gain valuable work experience, build their careers, and contribute to the UK economy. It is an attractive option for those who wish to remain in the UK after completing their studies and is a significant part of the UK's immigration system.

The number of international students by university

In 2021/22, the academic year for which I found the most recent data, around 680,000 international students were enrolled in UK higher education institutions, making up 24% of all students in UK higher education. This was the largest number on record and the second year in a row that the figure exceeded the government's target of 600,000 by 2030.

The Migration Observatory reports that University College London received the largest number of new international students for the eighth year in a row, with over 14,000 new international students, equivalent to 56% of its total intake. The London Business School (80%, or 1,165 international students) and the London School of Economics and Political Science (71%, or 5,295) were the institutions with the highest proportion of international students.

Ulster University in Northern Ireland became the fourth most popular destination for international students in the UK in 2021/22, with half of its intake coming from abroad. In 2014/15, the number of international students was almost eight times lower and only made up 11% of the total. Similar increases can be seen for the University of Hertfordshire (19% to 48%) and BPP University (21% to 56%).

The UK's 24 Russell Group universities continue to attract a disproportionate share of the UK's new international students. In 2021/22, they attracted 37% of newly enrolled international students, compared to 27% of all new students.

The percentage of full-time international students taking a first degree varies by university. For example, in 2021/22, at the Courtauld Institute of Art, 65% of students were international, while at the University of the Arts, London, 43% were international.

Frequently asked questions