The market for international research students in the UK

Clarisse Faria-Fortecoƫf

A report from the British Higher Education International Unit

The UK remains the second most popular destination for international students with partnerships and collaborations around the world. 

However, as an increasing number of countries are developing international dimensions to their higher education systems such as India and China, the report "The UK's competitive advantage: the market for international research students" has for goal to provide a quantitative and qualitative analysis of the challenge that represents the welcome and the recruitment of international research students in British universities. 

Why they choose the UK in particular?

There are now just over 50,000 international students in the UK, or 42 % of all students. 
This also represents about 15 % of the total global market share and, per capita, makes the UK the most successful recruiting country at present. 
Furthermore, in some subject areas such as mathematics and social studies, international students constitute over 50 % of all students in the UK.