UK International Students: Origins and Future Trends

The UK’s strong academic standing and world-renowned institutions have for a long time attracted top international students from around the world. Since the mid-20th century, UK universities have actively welcomed international students to their campuses, bringing greater diversity and enriching the academic environment with new perspectives. Demand by UK universities for international students has been largely driven by financial need, a desire to enhance global reputation, and the goal of fostering international collaboration to address global challenges.  

While the UK remains a leading destination for international students, it faces increasing competition from other big players like the US, Canada and Australia. Over the last 12 months there has also been increased competition from smaller destination markets like the Republic of Ireland and New Zealand. In our latest Emerging Futures survey, completed by over 6,000 prospective, applied, and current international students, findings showed that 66% of respondents are considering more than one destination, reflecting that they are expanding their choices.  

The future of the international higher education sector will very much depend on actions taken by the government, but importantly by universities themselves. Dina Zaher, IDP’s Senior Partnerships Director, believes that while traditional rankings still matter, prospective students are paying closer attention to subject-specific rankings, research impact, and teaching quality. Ongoing efforts to enhance the international student experience will be crucial, alongside the continued promotion of the value of a UK education. The sector should continue to work closely with the government to ensure favourable policies for international students.   

In this article, we will explore which student markets are driving the most demand for studying in the UK, up-and-coming source markets and what we can derive from research trends across IDP’s international student sites.  

According to a report by House of Commons Library, in 2022/23, 758,855 overseas students studied at UK universities, comprising 26% of the total student population. Of these students, 95,505 were from the EU and 663,355 from outside the EU.  

India was the top source country for international students in the UK with 126,580 students, followed by China with 102,795 students, Nigeria with 53,790 students, and Pakistan with 24,950 students.  

When considering what future trends may look like, one should look to the past. Interestingly, in 2022/23 India sent more than ten times the number of students to the UK when compared to the 2017/18 intake. In 2020/21 entrants from China declined significantly (correlating to the COVID pandemic) and since then has only modestly increased, while Nigeria has seen rapid increases in entrants to the UK since 2017/18.  

Dina says, “India is expected to remain one of the UK’s largest student markets - its expanding middle class, a strong demand for quality education, and an increasing number of students seeking international opportunities make India a strong future market.”  

She also believes that Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy - presents long-term potential for the UK and is a market worth watching. She adds, “Although Nigeria is currently experiencing a dip in outbound students due to recent currency volatility, it is still one of the highest volume markets for the UK and has seen a surge in outbound students due to limited local university capacity and the prestige associated with a UK degree. When Nigeria’s currency recovers, I think demand for studying in the UK will grow in a big way.” 

As the fourth most prominent source market for international students to the UK, Pakistan is also likely to become a key priority for UK institutions over the next few years. Dina says, “Pakistan is emerging as a significant market for international student recruitment, driven by a young population, rising middle-class aspirations, and limited higher education capacity.  

“With over 60% of its population under 30, demand for quality education abroad is increasing. The UK remains a top destination due to historical ties, English-language instruction, and strong Pakistani diaspora networks. However, affordability and visa policies remain key concerns. Universities can attract Pakistani students through scholarships, flexible financial plans, and strong career pathways. Strengthening partnerships with local institutions and improving post-study work opportunities will be crucial to tapping into this expanding market.” 

Between 11/02/2024 and 11/02/2025, research trends across IDP’s suite of international student websites show that Indonesia had the highest share (10.36%) of researchers considering study options in the UK, followed by Turkey (9.32%), India (7.89%) and China (5.99%).  

As the country with the highest share of researchers, Indonesia presents vast opportunities for the UK’s higher education sector and should be on every institution’s radar as a priority market for student recruitment. While our data shows strong growth in demand for Turkey, we are yet to see this convert into the same levels of application volume as seen from other top markets.  

Read our report on Indonesia: international higher education fuelling a growing economy and our article on why Turkey is an important source market for the UK to learn more. 

Throwing the net a bit wider and looking at prospective students researching our international student sites between 11/02/2024 and 11/02/2025, we can see that London is the most in-demand city as a study destination with 9.41% of overall share, followed by Sydney (5.56%) and Melbourne (5.48%). Of the top 10 most researched cities, there are 3 from Australia, 4 from North America and only 2 from the UK, reflecting the competitive nature of international higher education.  

Dina believes that the rising cost of living in major UK cities is becoming a concern for prospective students and that universities in smaller, more affordable cities may have a competitive edge.  

Considering the same period as referenced above, we looked at the most researched subject areas by prospective students looking to study in the UK. Health and Medicine dominated with 24.56% of overall share, followed by Business and Administrative Studies, and Applied and Pure Sciences. While Health and Medicine had the highest volumes, our data showed that of the top 6 subject areas, Business and Administrative Studies was the only one that has seen a recent increase in overall volume numbers. Such trends can serve as valuable indicators to institutions when considering how to approach their marketing strategies for specific subject areas.   

Our insights show that while the UK is still highly in demand by international students, other destinations like Australia, the US and Canada present fierce competition. Increasing visa regulations and post-study work restrictions imposed by the UK government means that UK universities must adapt to remain competitive. 

Dina suggests a two-tiered approach:  

• Strengthening post-study work opportunities: The Graduate Route visa is a key selling point, but universities must work with policymakers to ensure it remains attractive and accessible. Universities can also create stronger links with UK employers to improve job prospects for international graduates and provide opportunities for work experience. Students are increasingly evaluating the career prospects and employability outcomes of UK degrees. Institutions that emphasise their industry partnerships, internships, and job-placement support will be more attractive to students. 

• Targeted scholarships and financial support: Universities should introduce more need-based and merit-based scholarships to offset rising tuition and cost of living for international students. 

Universities must actively address the challenges posed by rising costs, evolving student expectations, and increasing global competition. This requires a commitment to enhancing the student experience, from streamlining visa processes and providing robust support services to fostering inclusive and welcoming campus environments.  

Furthermore, institutions must continue to innovate in their teaching and research, ensuring they remain at the forefront of their respective fields. By embracing these strategies, UK universities can not only maintain their competitive edge but also strengthen their global standing, ensuring they continue to attract the brightest minds from around the world.