Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Overseas Students
Overseas Students
The UK has become one of the top destinations to study around the
world. With traditions of excellence dating back hundreds of years,
high class institutions in every corner and much more flexibility than
many other countries, the United Kingdom has much to offer
international students that other English-speaking countries cannot
offer.
But what makes the United Kingdom stand out? Why should you come to the UK as a destination to
further your international education?
Growing Destination
International students have always been an important presence in the UK, and their numbers have
been growing steadily over the years. In fact, the UK is now the second most popular destination for
international students, behind the US. The UK has worked hard to capitalize on the growing demand for
English-language instruction and the post-9/11 visa hurdles in the US. The top ten countries sending
students to the UK are:
1.
China
2.
India
3.
Nigeria
4.
Malaysia
5.
USA
6.
Hong Kong
7.
Germany
8.
France
9.
Republic of Ireland
10.
Greece
Worldwide Recognition
Degrees and qualifications from UK higher education institutions are known around the world as high
quality and world class. This standard of excellence is set by some of the older universities with
recognizable names, such as Oxford and Cambridge, but the tradition carries through to many of the
universities and colleges throughout the UK. When looking for work in the future, this can be a great
selling point in your favour!
Work Opportunities
An international student in the UK is typically allowed to work up to 20 hours a week during school
term, and up to full-time when school is out of term. Of course, you should always check with your
international advisor at your school before starting any work - you do not want to be in violation of
your visa, and rules change frequently. Also, it is not always easy to find a job, so relying on work
income to fund your education is not a good idea. Unless you have employment set up through your
school before you arrive, you should plan to fund the entire first year of your studies without any
employment income.
Scholarships/ Loans
Financing an international education is always difficult. The best approach includes lots of preparation,
careful analysis of your budget, and hard work in researching and applying for scholarships. There are
a variety of scholarships and loans available to students who wish to study in the UK.
Gateway to Europe
With the addition of the Channel Tunnel and low cost airlines such as EasyJet and Ryan Air, Europe is
easier to access than ever. You can reach most areas of Europe from the UK within a few hours by train
or direct flight.
Multicultural Nation
The UK is known for its multicultural society, with all religions and faiths represented in some way. With
a racial, ethnic and religious jumble, the UK is very open to new traditions and cultures - something
that is a great thing for students from other countries! You can also be sure that a place of worship will
be easily accessible for most major religions.
The First Statistical Release from HESA (2013-14) shows that the number of students from outside the UK
coming to study in the UK increased slightly by 3% to 435,500.
The number of Chinese students far exceeds any other nationality at 87,895.
Indian students are the next largest cohort with 19,750 although this represents a drop of 2,635 on the
previous year.
University College London hosted the largest number of international (EU and non-EU) students in the UK
with a total of 11,850.
Business and administrative studies are the most popular subjects (38.7% of students in this subject are
international) with Engineering and technology second (32.7%) and Law third (25%).
There is no significant difference in the sex of non-UK students coming to the UK with 50.9% female and
49% male.
Higher Degrees
(research and taught)
Other
postgraduate
First
degree
Other
undergraduate
UK domicile
30.5%
82%
83.2%
87%
3.9%
7%
5.5%
non-EU
56%
14%
11.3%
10%
81.2%
92%
91.3%
94%
EU students (not 6%
incl UK)
2.8%
2%
1.8%
non-EU
5.4%
6.7%
4%
12%
Country
England
356,820
19%
Scotland
50,015
22%
Wales
24,230
18%
Northern Ireland
5,525
10%
UK
436,585
19%
Source: HESA First Statistical Release 224 (2014-15) [^]Table 1a and Chart 4.
Note that Total = full time, part time non-UK students (EU and non-EU)
Female
57,755
198,950
Male
49,135
189,265
Female
9,470
22,910
Male
8,920
24,325
All students
Female
67,225
221,860
Male
58,055
213,590
Total
125,300
435,495
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
China (PRC)
89,540
87,895
83,790
India
18,320
19,750
22,385
Nigeria
17,920
18,020
17,395
Malaysia
17,060
16,635
15,015
16,865
16,485
16,235
16,215
14,725
13,065
Saudi Arabia
8,595
9,060
9,440
Singapore
7,295
6,790
6,020
Country
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
Thailand*
6,240
6,340
6,180
Pakistan
7,295
6,665
7,185
*Note that Thailand entered the top ten countries in 2014-15 and Canada fell to 11th place.
Source: HESA First Statistical Release 224 (2014-15) [^] Table 9
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
Germany
13,675
14,060
14,520
France
11,955
11,500
11,725
Republic of Ireland
10,905
11,490
12,620
Italy
10,525
9,550
8,320
Greece
10,130
10,670
10,910
Cyprus
9,745
10,295
10,840
Spain
7,040
6,585
5,995
Romania
6,590
6,515
6,460
Country
2014-15
2013-14
2012-13
Bulgaria
6,255
6,355
6,060
Poland
5,245
5,200
5,280
38.7%
32.7%
Law
25.0%
24.4%
21.9%
Mathematical sciences
20.9%
Computer science
20.5%
Veterinary sciences
19.2%
Social studies
19.0%
Languages
17.7%
Subject of study
15.7%
15.6%
Physical sciences
15.1%
12.7%
Biological sciences
10.3%
10.2%
7.8%
Education
6%
Combined
5.2%
Total
18.9%
postgraduate
students
undergraduate
students
Total number of
international students
7,200
6,345
13,545
Institution
postgraduate
students
undergraduate
students
Total number of
international students
The University of
Manchester
5,650
6,565
12,215
5,550
10,080
Coventry University
3,715
5,385
9,100
4,485
3,965
8,450
4,205
4,140
8,345
The University of
Birmingham
5,780
2,520
8,300
2,015
6,130
8,145
4,235
3,730
7,965
3,695
3,730
7,425
5,190
2,155
7,345
3,675
3,665
7,340
The University of
Nottingham
3,075
4,170
7,245
Institution
postgraduate
students
undergraduate
students
Total number of
international students
4,205
3,000
7,205
2,055
7,050
Cardiff University
3,455
3,535
6,990
The University of
Southampton
3,995
2,900
6,895
2,040
4,825
6,865
University of NewcastleUpon-Tyne
3,315
3,295
6,865
2,400
6,360
Total
number of
students
2013-14
Total
number of
students
2012-13
Total
number
of
students
2011-12
19,230
17,525
14,870
119,700
123,635
116,535
Type of provision
Total
number of
students
2013-14
Total
number of
students
2012-13
Total
number
of
students
2011-12
116,035
103,795
96,075
254,965
244,955
227,480
374,430
353,375
342,845
Other arrangement
7,280
600
340
353,975
343,190
Total
707,350
570,665
636,675
Level and location of study of students studying wholly overseas 2013-14 (top 10
countries)
postgraduate postgraduat first
other
Total
research
e taught
degree undergraduat
e
Malaysia
370
4,595
68,315 3,320
76,600
Singapore
110
4,770
43,940 1,245
50,070
340
3,810
44,935 595
49,680
Pakistan
25
410
42,290 675
43,400
Nigeria
185
4,585
23,630 55
28,455
280
3,745
24,065 290
28,385
Ghana
25
2,605
14,315 185
17,130
Oman
35
1,600
13,740 115
15,490
205
5,865
8,655
14,885
Egypt
65
1,245
13,365 35
130
14,710
Every year close to 500,000 students from 200 nations come to the UK to study at a
school, college or university and 600,000 more come to do an English language course.
In addition, over 500,000 international students each year take a UK qualification
overseas for example, online or at a UK overseas campus.
The UK has a long history of welcoming international students from around the globe.
And with a reputation for academic excellence, its easy to see why so many
international students choose a UK education.
Many UK schools, colleges and universities have an international society to help
international students settle in and make friends.
International societies tend to offer:
After you have graduated in the UK you have several options open
to you and choosing the right path is not always an easy thing to do.
The most common course for most international students is to either
return home, or look for work in the UK.
But, you have many options and you should explore each one to work out which is the best route for you.
The main options for students after they graduate from studying in the UK are:
Graduate School
For some students with the studying "bug", you may want to further your education and this is most typically done at
graduate school to study for your MBA, Ph.D. or other postgraduate course.
Job Search
Looking for work is one popular options, especially for international students as some may have large debts and will
want to pay them back. Whether you return home or try and stay in the UK you will need some assistance to get that
killer job!
Returning Home
If you decide to return home there are going to be many hurdles you will face, especially if you come from a country
that is very different to the UK. Learn how to cope with "reverse culture shock" and other things that will come in your
path when you return home.