Knight Frank’s analysis of UCAS’s January 2025 Cycle Application deadline data found international student applications have risen 2.7% year-on-year, with Chinese applications surging by 8.9% – indicating a potential return of international students.
600,660 applicants applied to university as at the January deadline, according to UCAS, up 1% from 594,940 at the same point last year where international applicant’s numbers stood at 118,800, a 2.7% increase from 115,730
The top three countries with international applicants are China (31,160 applicants by January 2025 compared to 28,620 at the same point last year (+8.9%)), India (8,740 vs 8,770 (-0.3%)) and USA (6,680 vs 5,980 (+11.7%)).
While this data is a good indicator, UCAS is not the sole route for international applicants to attend UK universities. Alternative application routes notwithstanding, Non-EU applicants have risen by 3,010 from 95,840 to 98,850.
“UCAS January 2025 Cycle data acts as a bellwether for what we expect total results will show. The marked uptick in Chinese international applicants showcases a return to international students prioritising the UK as a destination for further education.
“With the UK Government easing their stance on international students, it stands in stark contrast to more hostile rhetoric towards international students in other parts of the world, including Canada and Australia and potentially the US. The result is that individuals will see the UK as preferable to alternative global study locations.”
Neil Armstrong, Partner & Joint Head of Student Property, Knight Frank
Notably, EU applicants are up by 0.3% from 19,890 to 19,950 applicants. Although not a significant increase, Knight Frank suggests a stabilisation in applicants from the EU which has fallen by over 50% since 2020, where this decrease was largely due to the treatment of EU students post-Brexit.
