Record number of foreign students apply to study in UK

New figures reveal that a record number of foreign students have applied to a British university to start this autumn.

The figures show that, despite warnings regarding the potential impact of Brexit, approximately 125,510 foreign students have applied to study a degree at a UK university this year.

Of these, 50,130 applicants came from EU countries – a 2 per cent rise on the number that came from the Union last year. The number of non-EU foreign students that have applied to study in the UK has risen by 6 per cent, and at 75,380 is the highest single year total recorded since UCAS began taking records in 2009.

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Studies at Buckingham University, said: “Overseas students continue to be greatly attracted to our universities. The scaremongers who said that Brexit would reduce the interest of European Union students in coming here have been proven wrong.”

Overall, 636,960 students applied to start degrees this autumn, down two per cent on 2017.

Earlier this month, the UK’s Education Secretary Damian Hinds revealed that EU students at universities in England, Wales and Scotland will be treated the same as home students in the first intake after Brexit.

Those starting courses in autumn 2019 will pay the same fees as English students and this will last for the duration of their courses.

Article published 12th July 2018