Master’s plunge 10 per cent amid record fall in overseas students

UK institutions suffered a record fall in international student numbers last year, with significant drops in enrolments from India, China and Nigeria at some universities.

The Higher Education Statistics Agency (Hesa) data show that the number of UK domestic students increased by 1 per cent to 2.2 million in 2024-25 after two years of decline.

However, the total number of overseas students fell by 6 per cent to 685,565, largely as a result of a drop in demand from those outside the European Union – the largest annual fall recorded in Hesa data.

This came off the back of a 4 per cent drop last year, and means that international student numbers are 10 per cent below the peak level of 2022-23.

Intakes increased slightly at undergraduate level, with these students making up 31 per cent of new overseas entrants – compared with 28 per cent the year before.

The bulk of the drop came at the postgraduate level. UK institutions took in 10 per cent fewer postgraduate taught entrant students and 10 per cent fewer master’s taught students in 2024-25.

“The observed decline in enrolments coincides with changes to dependant visa eligibility, increased uncertainty around immigration policy, ongoing scrutiny of post-study work routes, unfavourable exchange rates, and the rising cost of living in the UK,” according to Hesa.

There was a 16 per cent fall in the total number of EU students within the UK system and a 5 per cent fall in those from outside the bloc – now making up 91 per cent of the non-UK body.

Indian students again make up the largest cohort in the sector, although their total numbers fell by 12 per cent year-on-year – following a 5 per cent drop the year before.

Recruitment from China has fallen in successive years and it has more than halved from Nigeria since 2022-23.

After a 6 per cent increase in new enrolments, Pakistan is now the third largest source country for UK higher education.

Nepal is now the fifth after entrant numbers jumped 91 per cent in just one year. The UK recruited 15 times more students from Nepal than it did just four years previously, which Hesa said was a result of changes to visa regulations in Australia.

Meanwhile, the number of students studying for UK qualifications but based overseas, known as transnational education, rose by 8 per cent to 669,950, meaning they may soon outnumber onshore students for the first time.

Separate figures last week from Ucas showed that some providers were deeply affected by falls in domestic recruitment last year – with the Russell Group hoovering up demand.

The Hesa data suggest that this may be due to declining international numbers – with even the University of Oxford affected by a record 2 per cent fall in total international student numbers.

Across the Russell Group, international student numbers fell by a record 4 per cent – including record decreases at the University of Sheffield (26 per cent), Cardiff University (22 per cent) and the University of Leeds (22 per cent).

Of all Universities UK members, the University of Bedfordshire had the largest fall in total international student numbers, of 51 per cent.

There were also large drops at Swansea University (44 per cent), the University of Northampton (44 per cent) and the University of Cumbria (43 per cent). These three institutions have around three times fewer students from India than they did just one year before.

The downturn in international enrolment has been cited by a range of universities for their poor financial performance.

Joe Marshall, chief executive of the National Centre for Universities and Business, said the figures “highlight a sector in transition, reflecting both changing student demand and evolving institutional priorities”. 

He said while the rise in first-degree enrolments “points to the sustained appeal of UK higher education”, the continued decline in postgraduate taught entrants, particularly among international students, “is a cause for real concern”.

“Government and the sector must work together to ensure our universities remain attractive, open and able to deliver the talent and research the country needs.” 

patrick.jack@timeshighereducation.com