Savanna Hoffman
University education in the UK has seen a surge in popularity in recent years, with overall student numbers reaching record levels in the early 2020s. In the 2022-23 academic year, there were 2.94 million students enrolled in higher education in the UK. This number includes both full-time and part-time students, with the majority of full-time students studying for their first degree. The number of applicants and accepted students through UCAS has also been on the rise, with a record percentage of young people going to university in 2018.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of students enrolled in UK universities | 2.9 million (2023/24) |
| Number of students enrolled in higher education courses | 2.86 million (2021/22) |
| Number of overseas students | 576,705 (2022/23) |
| Number of UK applicants | Increased each year from 2019 to 2022 |
| Number of EU applicants | Decreased by 40% in 2021 |
| Number of non-EU overseas applicants | Increased to record levels from 2019 to 2022 |
| Number of applicants through UCAS | 752,025 (2023) |
| Number of students from low participation neighbourhoods accepted | 23% (2023) |
| Number of state school students in England who received free school meals accepted | 19.1% (2023) |
| Number of students enrolled in Open University | 140,215 |
| Number of students enrolled in University College London | 51,810 |
| Number of students enrolled in the University of Manchester | 46,860 |
| Average student loan debt in England | £44,940 (2023) |
| Average student loan debt in Wales | £35,780 (2023) |
| Average student loan debt in Northern Ireland | £24,500 (2023) |
| Average student loan debt in Scotland | £15,430 (2023) |
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What You'll Learn
Total student numbers: 2.9 million in 2023/24
The number of students attending UK universities has reached record levels in recent years. According to the latest data, there were approximately 2.9 million students enrolled in higher education institutions in the UK for the 2023/24 academic year. This number includes both full-time and part-time students pursuing various levels of study, from undergraduate to postgraduate programmes.
The growth in the student population has been driven by several factors. One notable factor is the increase in overseas students, particularly those from non-EU countries. Despite concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit, the number of non-EU overseas applicants has consistently risen in recent years. In contrast, there has been a significant decline in the number of EU students, likely due to increased fees and the removal of eligibility for fee loans following Brexit.
While the number of students in higher education has generally increased, there are concerns about specific groups of students. For example, part-time undergraduate enrolments have decreased, particularly among those not studying first degrees. Additionally, some postgraduate programmes have experienced a decline in student numbers, and there has been a drop in the number of mature students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
To accommodate the growing student population, UK universities have also expanded their staff capacities. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were approximately 240,420 academic staff members and nearly 400,000 total staff employed at higher education institutions in the UK. This expansion ensures that universities can continue to provide quality education and support to the increasing number of students choosing to pursue higher education in the country.
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Undergraduate numbers: 411,860 in 2018
As of A-level results day in 2018, a total of 411,860 applicants had been placed on an undergraduate course in the UK. This number represented a 1% decrease compared to the previous year's A-level results day. It also came alongside a 2.5% drop in the number of 18-year-olds in the UK population.
In England, a record 27.9% of the 18-year-old population were accepted onto undergraduate courses through UCAS. In Wales, this figure was 26.3%, and in Northern Ireland, it was 28.1%. Scottish students received their exam results the week before, and 25.9% of all 18-year-olds were accepted.
The number of accepted applicants through UCAS more than doubled between 1994 and 2020, although it has fallen slightly since then. The higher education entry rate among UK 18-year-olds increased from 24.7% in 2006 to 30.7% in 2015 and peaked at 38.2% in 2021. It fell back to 36.4% in 2024.
In 2022-23, there were 2,937,155 students studying at UK higher education providers. The number of students enrolled in higher education in the UK has reached record levels in recent years, although there are concerns about falling numbers in some groups. For example, the number of applicants fell in 2012 when fees rose to £9,000, and the number of EU students starting full-time undergraduate courses fell by 68% between 2020 and 2024.
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EU student numbers: Down 68% from 2020-2024
In the academic year 2021/22, the total number of students enrolled in higher education institutions in the UK was around 2.86 million. This figure includes both full-time and part-time students, without distinguishing between undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
While overall student numbers reached record levels in the early 2020s, there are concerns about falling numbers of certain groups of students. One notable decrease is in the number of EU students enrolling in UK universities. Between 2020 and 2024, the number of EU students starting full-time undergraduate courses fell by 68% to its lowest level since 1994. This decrease has been attributed to the impact of Brexit, with new EU students facing higher fees and no longer being eligible for fee loans. In 2020/21, there were 64,120 EU national students enrolled in UK universities, but this number dropped to 31,400 in 2021/22, a decrease of 53%.
The decline in EU student numbers has had financial implications for universities, particularly those that rely on EU students studying three or four-year courses. Additionally, the reduction in EU students has resulted in a decrease in classroom diversity. Despite the fall in EU student numbers, overall student numbers in the UK have been sustained by increases in non-EU overseas applicants. In 2022/23, there were 758,855 overseas students studying at UK universities, with 95,505 from the EU and 663,355 from non-EU countries. This trend is expected to continue, with applications for study visas in August 2024 being 17% lower than in 2023.
To conclude, while the total number of students in UK higher education remains high, the significant decrease in EU students is cause for concern. This decline has financial implications for universities and impacts the diversity of the student population. With the number of study visas granted also decreasing, it is important to address the factors influencing the decisions of international students to ensure the UK remains a competitive destination for higher education.
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Non-EU overseas applicants: Record numbers in 2019-2022
The number of students enrolled in higher education in the UK has reached record levels in recent years. In the 2022-23 academic year, there were 2.94 million students enrolled at UK higher education providers. This includes both full-time and part-time students at all levels of study.
While overall student numbers have increased, there are concerns about falling numbers in certain groups, including part-time undergraduates, some postgraduate students, EU students, mature students, and some disadvantaged groups. The number of applicants from the EU has decreased significantly since 2021, when new EU students began facing higher fees and became ineligible for fee loans. The number of EU students starting full-time undergraduate courses fell by 68% between 2020 and 2024, reaching its lowest level since 1994.
In contrast, the number of non-EU overseas applicants has increased to record levels in each year from 2019 to 2022. This growth has been driven by increases in overseas students on postgraduate taught courses. In 2022-23, there were 576,705 overseas students recorded by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA). Universities with significant numbers of overseas students in 2018-19 included the Open University (48,805), the University of London (37,850), and the University of Liverpool (22,645).
The increasing number of international students choosing to study in the UK is a testament to the reputation of its world-class universities. Despite concerns over the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on travel, non-EU overseas applicants have continued to apply in record numbers.
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Student debt: £44,940 average in England
The high cost of university in the UK has long been a topic of concern for prospective students. In 2022-23, the average student loan debt across the UK was highest in England, at £44,940. This figure is almost three times higher than the average student debt in Scotland (£15,430) during the same period. In Wales, the typical student debt was £20,770, and in Northern Ireland, the average student loan debt was £25,730.
Average student loan debt statistics in England show an 84% increase between 2014-15 and 2022-23. In Scotland, average student loan debt rose by 48% during the same period. In Wales, it more than doubled (124%), and in Northern Ireland, it rose by 24%.
The total student loan balance in England has risen gradually since 2006-07. As of 2022-23, English students had a collective student loan balance of almost £153.7 billion, a 15.9% increase from 2021-22. The total UK student debt for 2022-23 exceeded £225.9 billion, a 13% rise from 2021-22.
The number of students with student loans is predicted to increase by 6% between 2022 and 2028, reaching over 1.6 million. In 2022-23, around 1.2 million people took out a student loan, totalling nearly £17.8 billion. This resulted in an average student loan value of £14,560 per student.
The UK government spent £4.55 billion on higher education in 2022-23, a 3.4% decrease from the previous year. The number of UK applicants to higher education institutions increased each year from 2019 to 2022, driven by an increased number of 18-year-olds in the population. In 2023, a record 23% of UK 18-year-olds from low-participation neighbourhoods were accepted to study full-time undergraduate degrees through UCAS, compared to 14.1% in 2012.
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Frequently asked questions
In the 2023/24 academic year, there were 2.9 million students enrolled at UK higher education institutions.
In the 2022/23 academic year, 2,937,155 students studied at UK higher education providers.
The UK's largest universities in terms of student numbers are the Open University (140,215 students), University College London (51,810 students), and the University of Manchester (46,860 students).
In 2023, 23% of UK 18-year-olds were accepted to study a full-time undergraduate degree through UCAS. In England, a record 27.9% of 18-year-olds were accepted, while in Wales the figure was 26.3% and in Northern Ireland it was 28.1%.
