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Higher education statistics

The following is a selection of statistical information about international students in UK Higher Education (HE) based on data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (see statistical sources listed below).

Data in HESA's "Students in Higher Education Institutions 2007/08" do not include students who are "writing up", who were included in previous years' data, and therefore the data is not directly comparable to the same publication for previous years. The total number of non-UK students for 2007/08 was 341,790. Adjusted figures for 2006/07 and 2005/06 were 325,985 and 307,040 respectively. The 2007/08 therefore represent a 5% on the previous year.

New for 2007/08: HESA have now published data on students studying wholly overseas for a qualification of a UK HEI .

Note: totals will differ due to rounding within the HESA data.

List of tables

  1. International students by domicile, level and mode, EU and non-EU
  2. Number and percentage of international students in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
  3. Percentages of international students by level and mode
  4. Top non-EU sending countries
  5. Top EU sending countries
  6. International student numbers by subject area
  7. Top 20 largest recruiters of international students
  8. Students studying outside the UK for a UK degree

Sources of statistical data

1. International students in UK HE by domicile, level and mode,
European Union (EU) (excluding UK) and non-EU, 2007/08

Level of Study/Domicile Full-time Part-time Total
EU students (non-UK domicile) in HE    
Postgraduate research 9,735 2,895 12,630
Postgraduate taught 17,730 7,365 25,095
Postgraduate other 1,890 2,670 4,560
First degree 53,900 2,920 56,820
Other undergraduate 3,460 9,585 13,045
Total non-UK EU 86,715 25,435 112,150
Non-EU students in HE,    
Postgraduate research 23,410 3,820 27,230
Postgraduate taught 77,360 13,350 90,710
Postgraduate other 2,930 4,335 7,265
First degree 80,060 6,690 86,750
Other undergraduate 7,940 9,750 17,690
Total non-EU 191,700 37,945 229,645
All non-UK domicile in HE    
Postgraduate research 33,145 6,715 39,860
Postgraduate taught 95,090 20,715 115,805
Postgraduate other 4,820 7,005 11,825
First degree 133,960 9,610 143,570
Other undergraduate 11,400 19,335 30,735
Total non-UK 278,415 63,380 341,795
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2. Number and percentage of international students in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland 2007/08

Country Total international students % of student population who are international
England 284,260 15%
Scotland 33,895 16%
Wales 18,615 15%
Northern Ireland 5,030 10%
UK 341,795 15%
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3. Percentages of international students by level and mode

In UK HE in 2006/07 international students made up:

  • 12% of full-time first degree students and 11% of all first degree students
  • 66% of full-time taught postgraduates and 42% of all taught postgraduates
  • 50% of full-time research degree students and 43% of all research postgraduates
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4. Top non-EU sending countries

Top 10 non-EU senders 2007/08 2006/07*
China (PRC) 45,355 49,595
India 25,905 23,835
United States of America 13,905 15,955
Nigeria 11,785 11,135
Malaysia 11,730 11,810
Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region) 9,700 9,640
Pakistan 9,305 9,305
Taiwan 5,615 6,795
Canada 5,005 5,010
Japan 4,465 5,705

* Note that figures for 2007/08 and 2006/07 were not collected on the same basis. See explanation of methodology change above.

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5. Top EU sending countries

Top 10 EU senders 2007/08* 2006/07*
Republic of Ireland 15,260 16,255
Germany 13,625 14,010
France 12,685 13,070
Greece 12,625 16,050
Cyprus 9,640 8,710
Poland 8,570 6,770
Spain 5,740 6,350
Italy 5,605 5,990
Sweden 3,195 3,380
Netherlands 3,025 2,810

* Note that figures for 2007/08 and 2006/07 were not collected on the same basis. See explanation of methodology change above.

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6. International student numbers by subject area

International students in HE 2007/08 by subject of study No of international students % in subject who are international
Business & administrative studies 90,765
29%
Engineering & technology 42,515
30%
Social studies 29,230
15%
Languages 20,845
15%
Subjects allied to medicine 19,845 7%
Computer science 19,495 20%
Creative arts & design 18,545 12%
Law 16,505 18%
Biological sciences 15,390 10%
Education 11,285 6%
Physical sciences 10,365 13%
Architecture, building & planning 9,215 15%
Medicine & dentistry 8,935 14%
Historical & philosophical studies 8,105 8%
Mass communications & documentation 7,110 15%
Mathematical sciences 6,145 18%
Combined 4,570 4%
Agriculture & related subjects 2,290 13%
Veterinary sciences 650 13%
Total 341,790 15%
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7. Top 20 largest recruiters of international students

Institution Non-UK student nos % students at institution who are international
The University of Manchester 8,380 22%
The University of Nottingham 7,485 24%
University College London 6,840 33%
The University of Warwick 6,800 24%
The University of Oxford 6,425 27%
London Metropolitan University 6,370 23%
London School of Economics and Political Science 6,170 68%
The University of Central Lancashire 5,860 19%
The University of Westminster 5,445 23%
Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine 5,365 39%
City University 5,310 25%
The University of Northumbria at Newcastle 5,305 18%
The University of Leeds 5,230 16%
The University of Cambridge 5,225 23%
University of the Arts, London 5,165 34%
The University of Birmingham 5,125 18%
The University of Greenwich 4,880 20%
The University of Sheffield 4,790 20%
The University of Edinburgh 4,775 20%
Middlesex University 4,750 22%
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8. Students studying wholly overseas for a UK qualification

Type of provision Total number of students
Overseas campus of reporting HEI 7,125
Distance, flexible or distributed learning 100,360
Other arrangement including collaborative provision 59.920
Subtotal - students registered at a UK HEI 167,405
Overseas partner organisation 29,250
Other arrangement 95
Subtotal - students studying for an award of a UK HEI 29,345
Total 196,750
Level and location of study EU Non-EU
Postgraduate research

595

940
Postgraduate taught 17,040 42,845
First degree 26,225 98,505
Other undergraduate 2,510 7,975
FE 0 110
Total 46,370 150,380
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Sources of statistical information

UKCISA does not process or hold statistical data on international students. The above is a summary of HESA data for information only. If you have any queries or require data concerning international student numbers in the UK you must contact one of the following organisations:

For comprehensive higher education data:

The Higher Education Statistics Agency

18 Royal Crescent
Cheltenham
GL50 3DA
Telephone: 01242 255577
Fax: 01242 211122
www.hesa.ac.uk

For analysis of HESA and other data relating to international students (some data may be available to Education UK Partners only):

Education UK Marketing

British Council
Bridgewater House
58 Whitworth St
Manchester
M1 6BB
Tel: 0161 957 7069
http://educationuk.britishcouncil.org/

For admissions data for UK HE undergraduate courses:

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

Rosehill
New Barn Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL52 3LZ
Tel: 01242 222444
www.ucas.ac.uk

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