UK international student numbers fall for second consecutive year, new data shows.
February 2026 - Education
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Recent data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) indicates that the number of international (non-EU) students studying at UK universities and higher education institutions has declined for the second consecutive year. The most significant drop has been observed in postgraduate (masters) taught programs (PGT). This decline, coupled with a notable decrease in EU students enrolling in UK institutions since Brexit, is placing substantial financial pressure on UK universities that rely heavily on international tuition fees.
According to the HESA data, 24% of all students enrolled in UK higher education institutions for the 2024/25 academic year were from outside the UK. Specifically, 63,600 students were from the European Union, down from 75,350 (-16%) compared to the previous academic year. Meanwhile, the number of students from non-EU countries was 6% less than the previous year, down 44,000 to 621,970. Key markets experiencing the sharpest decline were Nigeria (-33%), India (-12%), and China (-5%). Additionally, there was a 10% decrease in the number of international postgraduate students enrolling at UK universities.
The study identifies two government policies that have significantly impacted international enrolments from both EU and non-EU countries. After Brexit, the UK government implemented changes to tuition fees, requiring EU students to pay the same rates as non-EU students. This change made studying in the UK considerably more expensive and less attractive. HESA data shows a long-term decline in enrolments from the top ten EU countries, except for Ireland, since Brexit.
At the same time, non-EU enrolments have also experienced a notable drop of 10% since the 2023/24 academic year, primarily due to a significant decrease in demand for postgraduate taught programs (PGT). This decline has been largely affected by the ‘Dependents Ban,’ which prevents PGT students from bringing their families to the UK. In contrast, enrolment in postgraduate research programs, which are exempt from the ‘Dependents Ban,’ has increased by 10.5% over the same period, further highlighting the impact of government policies on non-EU student numbers.
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