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
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. Sources of statistical data

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

European Union students (non-UK domicile) in HE, 2006/07	Mode of Study
Level of Study	Full-time	Part-time	Total
Postgraduate research	9,395	6,385	15,780
Postgraduate taught	17,645	10,410	28,055
Postgraduate other	2,260	2,675	4,935
First degree	49,340	3,010	52,350
Other undergraduate	3,665	8,920	12,585
Total non-UK EU	82,305	31,400	113,705

Non-EU students in HE, 2006/07	Mode of Study
Level of Study	Full-time	Part-time	Total
Postgraduate research	21,825	12,870	34,695
Postgraduate taught	70,410	21,785	92,195
Postgraduate other	3,705	4,875	8,580
First degree	76,100	6,740	82,840
Other undergraduate	7,985	11,460	19,445
Total non-EU	180,025	57,730	237,755

All international students (non-UK domicile) in HE, 2006/07	Mode of Study
Level of Study	Full-time	Part-time	Total
Postgraduate research	31,220	19,255	50,475
Postgraduate taught	88,055	32,195	120,250
Postgraduate other	5,965	7,550	13,515
First degree	125,440	9,750	135,190
Other undergraduate	11,650	20,380	32,030
Total non-UK	262,330	89,130	351,470

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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	290,880	15%
Scotland	37,125	17%
Wales	18,110	14%
Northern Ireland	5,350	11%
UK	351,465	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 41% of all taught postgraduates
• 49% of full-time research degree students and 42% of all research postgraduates

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4. Top non-EU sending countries

Top 10 non-EU senders	2006/07	2005/06	% change
China (PRC)	49,595	50,755	-2%
India	23,835	19,205	24%
United States of America	15,955	14,755	8%
Malaysia	11,810	11,450	3%
Nigeria	11,135	9,605	16%
Hong Kong	9,640	9,445	2%
Pakistan	9,305	7,940	17%
Taiwan	6,795	6,180	10%
Japan	5,705	6,200	-8%
Canada	5,010	4,640	8%

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5. Top EU sending countries

Top 10 EU senders	2006/07	2005/06	% change
Republic of Ireland	16,255	16,790	-3%
Greece	16,050	17,675	-9%
Germany	14,010	13,265	6%
France	13,070	12,455	5%
Cyprus	8,710	7,205	21%
Poland	6,770	4,325	57%
Spain	6,350	6,225	2%
Italy	5,990	5,460	8%

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6. International student numbers by subject area

International students in HE 2006/07 by subject of study	No of international students	% in subject who are international
Business & administrative studies	89,974	29%
Engineering & technology	43,158	31%
Social studies	30,661	15%
Languages	22,354	16%
Computer science	21,061	20%
Subjects allied to medicine	20,160	7%
Creative arts & design	18,460	12%
Law	17,079	19%
Biological sciences	16,422	10%
Education	13,196	6%
Physical sciences	10,908	13%
Historical & philosophical studies	9,289	9%
Medicine & dentistry	9,170	15%
Architecture, building & planning	9,079	15%
Mass communications & documentation	7,238	15%
Mathematical sciences	6,150	18%
Combined	4,690	4%
Agriculture & related subjects	2,107	13%
Veterinary sciences	707	15%
Total	351,863	15%

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7. Top 20 largest recruiters of international students

Top 20 largest recruiters of international students, 2006/07	Non-UK student nos	% students at institution who are international
The University of Manchester	8,345	21%
The University of Nottingham	7,710	23%
The University of Warwick	7,430	25%
London Metropolitan University	7,115	25%
The University of Oxford	6,555	27%
City University	6,385	27%
The University of Cambridge	6,340	22%
University College London	6,135	32%
London School of Economics and Political Science	5,975	66%
The University of Westminster	5,730	23%
The University of Birmingham	5,500	18%
The University of Northumbria at Newcastle	5,355	18%
Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine	5,240	39%
The University of Leeds	5,225	16%
The University of Greenwich	4,975	20%
University of the Arts, London	4,930	33%
Middlesex University	4,885	21%
The University of Edinburgh	4,665	19%
The University of Sheffield	4,565	18%
The University of Sunderland	4,265	21%

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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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