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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