The figures highlight the growing challenges facing UK higher education as it seeks to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded global education market
UK universities have recorded a sharp decline in international student numbers, with overseas enrolments falling to their lowest level in several years. New data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) shows that international student numbers dropped by 6 per cent in the 2024–25 academic year, marking the largest annual fall on record.
The total number of overseas students studying in the UK stood at 685,565, well below the peak seen in 2022–23. This follows a 4 per cent decline the previous year and means international enrolments are now around 10 per cent lower than their recent high.
The fall has been most noticeable at the postgraduate level, where stricter immigration rules, limits on dependants, and rising living costs have made the UK a less attractive option for many students
In contrast, domestic student numbers showed a modest recovery. UK enrolments rose by 1 per cent to around 2.2 million, ending two consecutive years of decline. This suggests that while local demand remains stable, universities are becoming increasingly reliant on fewer international markets.
India continued to be the UK’s largest source of international students, despite a significant fall in numbers. According to a report by Times Higher Education, Indian student enrolments dropped by 12 per cent year-on-year, following a 5 per cent decline the previous year. Student numbers from China also continued to fall, reflecting a longer-term downward trend.
Meanwhile, enrolments from Nigeria have more than halved since 2022–23. Pakistan emerged as the third-largest source country after recording a 6 per cent rise in new students. Nepal saw the sharpest increase, with student numbers jumping by 91 per cent in a single year. Hesa linked this surge to recent changes in Australian visa policies, which have redirected students towards the UK.
