For international students looking to study at university abroad, the UK is the world’s second most popular choice. And when it comes to accommodation, overseas students are more likely to live in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA).
Oversees students accounted for the highest growth in full time students last year. Between the 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 academic year, numbers increased by 25,500. This year’s growth in applications is also mostly due to overseas interest. Undergraduate applications from non-EU countries increased 9.6% in 2020 – an additional 7,790.
Demand from oversees students has been growing for a long time. Since the 2008/2009 academic year, the number of Chinese students studying in the UK grew 10% per year – and reached 115,600 last in 2019. UK universities now have more Chinese students than those from Wales or Scotland.
Demand has also increased from other oversees countries. The number of full time students from India increased 22% in 2018 and 35% in 2019. Following a decline in numbers in previous years, this increase could be partly because of the UK Government changes in law – in September 2019 – which allows international students to stay in the UK two years after they graduate – which is one of the most generous post-study work visa systems in the world.
