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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).

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
    1. Top non-EU sending countries
    2. Top EU sending countries
  4. International student numbers by subject area
  5. Top 20 largest recruiters of international students
  6. Gender balance among international students by level and region
  7. Sources of statistical data

1. International students by domicile, level and mode, EU and non-EU

European Union students (non-UK domicile) in HE, 2005/06 Mode of Study
Level of Study Full-time Part-time Total
Postgraduate research 8,670 5,695 14,365
Postgraduate taught 17,360 10,120 27,480
Postgraduate other 2,560 2,630 5,190
First degree 45,465 2,640 48,105
Other undergraduate 3,315 7,775 11,090
Total non-UK EU 77,370 28,860 106,230
Non-EU students in HE, 2005/06 Mode of Study
Level of Study Full-time Part-time Total
Postgraduate research 20,835 11,585 32,420
Postgraduate taught 63,670 20,305 83,975
Postgraduate other 3,600 4,545 8,145
First degree 75,775 6,320 82,095
Other undergraduate 7,375 9,820 17,195
Total non-EU 171,255 52,575 223,830
All international students (non-UK domicile) in HE, 2005/06 Mode of Study
Level of Study Full-time Part-time Total
Postgraduate research 29,505 17,280 46,785
Postgraduate taught 81,030 30,425 111,455
Postgraduate other 6,160 7,175 13,335
First degree 121,240 8,960 130,200
Other undergraduate 10,690 17,595 28,285
Total non-UK 248,625 81,435 330,060
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2. Number and percentage of international students in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Country Total international students % of student population who are international
England 275,790 13%
Scotland 32,370 15%
Wales 16,020 12%
Northern Ireland 5,890 11%
UK 330,075 13%
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3. Percentages of international students by level and mode

In UK HE in 2005/06 international students made up:

  • 11% of full-time first degree students and 10% of all first degree students
  • 65% of full-time taught postgraduates and 40% of all taught postgraduates
  • 48% of full-time research degree students and 41% of all research postgraduates
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4a) Top non-EU sending countries

Top 10 non-EU senders 2005/06 2004/05 % change
China (PRC) 50,755 52,675 -4%
India 19,205 16,685 15%
United States of America 14,755 14,385 3%
Malaysia 11,450 11,475 0%
Nigeria 9,605 8,145 18%
Hong Kong 9,445 10,780 -12%
Pakistan 7,940 6,545 21%
Japan 6,200 6,180 0%
Taiwan 6,180 5,880 5%
Canada 4,640 4,190 11%
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4b) Top EU sending countries

Top 10 EU senders 2005/06 2004/05 % change
Greece 17,675 19,685 -10%
Republic of Ireland 16,790 16,345 3%
Germany 13,265 12,555 6%
France 12,455 11,685 7%
Cyprus 7,205 5,675 27%
Spain 6,225 6,000 4%
Italy 5,460 5,315 3%
Poland 4,325 2,185 98%
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5. International student numbers by subject area

International students in HE 2005/06 by subject of study No of international students % in subject who are internationa
Business & administrative studies 83,745 28%
Engineering & technology 40,590 30%
Social, economic & political studies 29,810 15%
Computer science 21,425 18%
Languages 20,370 15%
Subjects allied to medicine 18,815 6%
Creative arts & design 17,055 11%
Law 15,880 18%
Biological sciences 14,500 9%
Education 12,970 6%
Physical sciences 10,135 12%
Architecture, building & planning 8,740 15%
Humanities 8,470 8%
Medicine & dentistry 8,280 14%
Librarianship & information science 6,875 14%
Mathematical sciences 5,665 17%
Combined 4,050 4%
Agriculture & related subjects 2,120 12%
Veterinary sciences 575 13%
Total 330,080 14%
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6. Top 20 largest recruiters of international students

Top 20 largest recruiters of international students, 2005/06 Non-UK student nos % students at institution who are international
The University of Warwick 7,670 25%
The University of Manchester 7,325 18%
London Metropolitan University 7,275 24%
University College London 26,880 32%
The University of Nottingham 6,515 20%
The University of Oxford 6,070 26%
London School of Economics and Political Science 5,665 64%
The University of Westminster 5,635 22%
City University 5,530 23%
The University of Birmingham 5,460 18%
The University of Cambridge 5,430 21%
Middlesex University 5,230 21%
The University of Leeds 5,060 15%
Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine 4,665 37%
University of the Arts, London 4,625 17%
The University of Greenwich 4,455 19%
The University of Sheffield 4,390 16%
The University of Edinburgh 4,290 18%
The University of Northumbria at Newcastle 4,235 15%
The University of Sunderland 4,115 20%
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7. Gender balance among international students by level and region

Percentage of women students by region of origin and level Higher degree (research) Higher degree (taught) Other post-graduate First degree Other under-graduate All levels
Middle East 33% 33% 36% 28% 30% 31%
Africa 28% 34% 36% 46% 55% 40%
Asia 41% 46% 46% 47% 58% 46%
S America 41% 52% 60% 56% 57% 51%
EU (excl UK) 45% 49% 59% 53% 55% 51%
Australasia 42% 49% 54% 61% 64% 52%
Other Europe 47% 48% 55% 56% 62% 53%
N America 45% 58% 55% 62% 67% 57%
All Non-UK 41% 48% 51% 50% 57% 48%
UK 47% 55% 65% 56% 67% 59%
All students 44% 51% 64% 55% 66% 57%
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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 published sources 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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