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International students at UK universities

Which UK universities have the highest number of international students? Find the figures for each of our league table universities.

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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Sophie Rogers 03 Sep 2026
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CONTENTS

  1. International students at UK universities

  2. How to use international student data when choosing a UK university

  3. International students enrolled at UK league table universities in 2024/25

  4. Frequently asked questions about international students at UK universities

  5. International student data source

International students at UK universities

International students make up a significant part of the UK higher education system. The UK is one of the most popular study destinations in the world, attracting students from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas – but the proportion of international students varies widely between institutions, depending on location, affordability, subjects offered and institutional focus.

Some specialist institutions and London-based universities have particularly high percentages of international students, reflecting strong global reputations and international recruitment. Other universities have a larger domestic intake, leading to lower numbers of overseas students.

When comparing international student numbers, it is important to look at proportions as well as totals. A smaller university may have a high percentage of international students even if its overall student population is relatively small. Our figures are taken from official Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data, published in January 2026.

International student data can be useful when deciding where to study in the UK. Universities with a high proportion of international students may offer more tailored support services, such as visa advice, language support and international student societies. They may also have a more diverse campus culture and stronger global alumni networks.

However, a lower percentage of international students does not mean a poorer student experience. Some students prefer a university with a larger UK student population or a stronger regional focus.

Use this data alongside our UK University League Tables (which include graduate outcomes), university profiles and course information to build a complete picture of whether a university is the right fit for you.

Fees and scholarships for international students

Our university profiles include specific information for international students — make sure you set your location in the section below the top menu to see this.

To view the fees charged to international students, ensure you set your location before viewing course details. International student tuition fees are higher than for UK students, but many universities offer scholarships that can reduce the overall amount you pay. You can find out more about scholarships on our university profiles.

  1. READ MORE
  2. Most affordable UK universities for international students
  3. Top ten most affordable universities for international postgraduates
  4. International student tuition fees

International students enrolled at UK league table universities in 2024/25

The tables below shows the most recent data available from HESA (2024/25). We focus on students studying full-time, as they are more likely to be in attendance at the university. We also show what percentage international students make up of the total.

Overall figures don’t tell the whole story. So, we also list the universities with the most international students taking a first degree or postgraduate taught qualification in 2024/25.

Top 20 UK universities by international students studying a first degree

Rank UK University International first degree students % of all first degree students
1 UCL (University College London) 12,245 49%
2 University of Manchester 10,025 33%
3 King's College London 8,020 37%
4 The University of Edinburgh 7,675 31%
5 University of the Arts London 7,255 45%
6 Coventry University 7,205 42%
7 University of Leeds 5,575 22%
8 University of Bristol 5,280 23%
9 University of Birmingham 5,265 21%
10 Imperial College London 5,170 43%
11 University of Sunderland 4,645 39%
12 University of Warwick 4,525 25%
13 Bristol, UWE 4,480 19%
14 University of Liverpool 4,210 18%
15 Durham University 4,065 25%
16 University of Southampton 3,970 23%
17 University of Glasgow 3,855 18%
18 University of Hertfordshire 3,765 33%
19 University of St Andrews 3,740 43%
20 University of Sheffield 3,700 19%

Top 20 UK universities by international students studying a postgraduate taught qualification

Rank UK University International PGT students % of all PGT students
1 University of Hertfordshire 14,245 93%
2 UCL (University College London) 10,495 72%
3 University of East London 8,830 88%
4 University of Glasgow 8,055 84%
5 Ulster University 7,070 90%
6 University of Manchester 6,145 76%
7 University of Greenwich 5,950 87%
8 The University of Edinburgh 5,790 79%
9 Coventry University 5,735 81%
10 King's College London 5,735 65%
11 University of Birmingham 5,490 76%
12 London School of Economics and Political Science 5,105 81%
13 University of the West of Scotland 4,875 91%
14 Teesside University 4,785 87%
15 Glasgow Caledonian University 4,590 87%
16 University of the Arts London 4,515 82%
17 Northumbria University 4,435 76%
18 University of Bristol 4,205 82%
19 University of Leeds 4,195 83%
20 Imperial College London 4,085 83%

How to use our UK university rankings to find your ideal university

UK league table universities with the highest number of international students overall

UK University Total F/T international students % of International Students
UCL (University College London) 25,360 57%
University of Manchester 18,375 43%
University of Hertfordshire 18,175 67%
The University of Edinburgh 15,600 44%
King's College London 15,140 45%
University of Glasgow 13,365 39%
Coventry University 13,090 52%
University of East London 13,080 53%
University of the Arts London 12,225 55%
University of Birmingham 12,060 35%
Imperial College London 11,625 55%
University of Leeds 10,835 33%
University of Bristol 10,480 34%
Ulster University 10,325 39%
University of Warwick 9,165 38%
University of Greenwich 9,110 36%
University of Southampton 8,975 37%
Bristol, UWE 8,315 29%
University of Oxford 8,180 39%
London School of Economics and Political Science 8,170 65%
Queen Mary University of London 7,710 34%
University of Nottingham 7,575 22%
University of Sheffield 7,495 29%
De Montfort University 7,270 35%
University of Sunderland 7,225 43%
University of Cambridge 7,185 35%
Northumbria University, Newcastle 7,125 28%
University of Liverpool 7,055 26%
University of Exeter 7,035 26%
Durham University 6,795 33%
Anglia Ruskin University 6,680 24%
City St George's, University of London 6,500 27%
Newcastle University 5,925 23%
Teesside University 5,785 41%
University of the West of Scotland 5,755 35%
University of Portsmouth 5,570 29%
Nottingham Trent University 5,530 17%
University of Roehampton 5,490 50%
University of Westminster, London 5,235 30%
University of St Andrews 4,975 47%
University of Salford 4,910 21%
Queen's University Belfast 4,885 23%
Glasgow Caledonian University 4,875 25%
Birmingham City University 4,760 17%
University of Bath 4,695 25%
University of West London 4,640 29%
Cardiff University 4,610 17%
University of Essex 4,565 37%
York St John University 4,500 39%
University of Lancashire 4,420 24%
University of South Wales 4,330 29%
University of Sussex 4,300 27%
Brunel University of London 4,235 37%
Aston University, Birmingham 4,125 26%
Sheffield Hallam University 4,115 18%
University of York 4,035 20%
Lancaster University 4,025 23%
Middlesex University 3,995 32%
University of Lincoln 3,930 24%
Leeds Beckett University 3,920 21%
University of Chester 3,825 33%
University of Hull 3,760 31%
Kingston University 3,750 23%
University of Leicester 3,615 21%
University of Strathclyde 3,610 19%
University of Reading 3,585 22%
University of Wolverhampton 3,500 20%
Manchester Metropolitan University 3,490 10%
Loughborough University 3,385 19%
Edinburgh Napier University 3,360 27%
University of Surrey 3,185 21%
University of Greater Manchester 3,170 29%
Goldsmiths 3,100 45%
London Metropolitan University 2,940 24%
Heriot-Watt University 2,740 31%
Oxford Brookes University 2,630 12%
Bournemouth University 2,590 18%
University of Aberdeen 2,575 22%
University of Bradford 2,570 28%
University of Huddersfield 2,560 21%
Swansea University 2,550 15%
University of Kent 2,425 18%
University of Bedfordshire 2,395 32%
University of East Anglia UEA 2,365 17%
University of Dundee 2,335 20%
London South Bank University 2,225 21%
University for the Creative Arts 2,195 15%
University of Brighton 2,135 15%
Royal Holloway 2,080 17%
Bangor University 2,045 25%
University of Plymouth 2,030 13%
Cardiff Metropolitan University 2,005 18%
University of Northampton 1,985 18%
Robert Gordon University 1,970 21%
University of Stirling 1,940 19%
Wrexham University 1,830 44%
Regent's University London 1,820 79%
University of Derby 1,710 14%
Liverpool John Moores University 1,610 8%
SOAS University of London 1,595 28%
Buckinghamshire New University 1,465 9%
University of Gloucestershire 1,430 21%
University of Wales Trinity Saint David 1,310 10%
University of Worcester 1,240 17%
Southampton Solent University 1,195 16%
Canterbury Christ Church University 1,185 3%
Keele University 970 9%
Royal Veterinary College 960 42%
St Mary's University, Twickenham 910 20%
University of Buckingham 890 30%
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh 880 21%
Aberystwyth University 875 13%
Architectural Association School Of Architecture 820 93%
Bath Spa University 770 3%
University of Staffordshire 655 6%
Arts University Bournemouth 495 14%
University of Suffolk 485 4%
Royal College of Music 470 51%
Institute of Contemporary Music Performance 435 20%
Liverpool Hope University 405 8%
BIMM University 405 6%
Royal Academy of Music 385 50%
Health Sciences University 350 22%
Royal Northern College of Music 345 38%
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland 315 28%
Falmouth University 315 5%
Trinity Laban 305 26%
Edge Hill University 300 3%
Abertay University 295 8%
Northeastern University London 290 57%
Guildhall School of Music & Drama 285 29%
University of Winchester 270 5%
Royal Central School of Speech and Drama 255 26%
Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts 220 20%
University of Cumbria 210 4%
Hartpury University 205 9%
Leeds Trinity University 195 2%
University of Chichester 195 4%
Courtauld Institute of Art 195 32%
Norwich University of the Arts 175 7%
Plymouth Marjon University 170 4%
Leeds Arts University 160 8%
University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) 145 3%
LAMDA (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) 140 37%
Royal Agricultural University 110 13%
Leeds Conservatoire 110 8%
Rose Bruford College 95 11%
Harper Adams University 80 3%
Arts University Plymouth 50 3%
Lincoln Bishop University 50 2%
Northern School of Contemporary Dance 50 19%
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art 35 18%
Norland 20 6%
ASU London 15 9%
SRUC Scotland's Rural College 10 1%
Birmingham Newman University 5 0%
University of the Built Environment 0 0%
New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE) 0 0%

Frequently asked questions about international students at UK universities

What percentage of students at UK universities are international?

The percentage of international students varies by institution. Some UK universities have over half of their student population made up of international students, while others have much smaller proportions.

Which UK universities have the most international students?

Universities with the highest proportion of international students are often based in London or are specialist institutions. However, universities across the UK attract students from overseas.

Are international students counted differently from UK students?

International students are typically classified based on fee status and country of domicile, using definitions set by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

International student data source

Based on data supplied by the Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited (HESA), published in January 2026.

CHOOSING A UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
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