Universities UK International (UUKi) has released partial findings from its International Student Recruitment Survey 2025, which garnered responses from 54 universities.
The survey gathered data on actual and forecasted international student enrolments from September 2023 through to January 2026. The findings indicate “continued challenges for the sector,” highlighted Jamie Arrowsmith, UUKi director, in an update to stakeholders.
The survey showed that 79.6% of respondents did not meet their forecast for September 2024, following a 6.7% decline in international enrolments in the 2023/24 academic year, corresponding with a sector-wide, year-on-year decline of 12.8% for the September 2024 intake.
Looking ahead, Arrowsmith noted that forecasts for September 2025 are broadly in line with September 2023 enrolments, which he said indicates a focus on stability rather than growth for universities.
Respondents of the survey represent a wide cross-section of the sector, including all major mission groups and the four devolved nations of the UK. Arrowsmith said the results are “critical” in helping build an accurate picture of the current international recruitment landscape in the UK.
His comments coincide with renewed parliamentary focus on international student recruitment. This week, the Education Committee held a “deep dive evidence session” into the health of the higher education sector, amid mounting concerns over the financial stability of UK universities.
“There are concerns that some institutions have been too reliant on revenue from international student tuition fees, and that some had overestimated the number of international students they expected to recruit,” a Committee release noted.
It explained that MPs are interested to hear what effect financial pressures have had on the UK sector’s reputation abroad, and about the UK’s relative standing in the international market for recruiting international students following immigration changes brought in by the previous Conservative government.
On April 8, several key stakeholders gathered in parliament for the evidence session, including Hollie Chandler, director of policy at the Russell Group, who highlighted the challenges facing university recruitment projections.
Chandler pointed to the recent ban on dependants for postgraduate taught master’s students as a “significant shift” that has had a notable impact on international student recruitment.
According to Home Office data for 2024, international student visa applications have decreased by 14% across the sector year-on-year, with Russell Group universities seeing a 5% decline.
“These shifts have made it challenging in some cases for universities to make long-term forecasts which is why I think we need stability in immigration policy,” said Chandler.
We need to ensure a welcoming environment for international students and staff with affordable and internationally competitive visa options
Hollie Chandler, Russell Group
“We need to ensure a welcoming environment for international students and staff with affordable and internationally competitive visa options,” she added, while stressing that ensuring the Graduate Route is protected should be a priority.
Andrew Bird, chair of the British Universities’ International Liaison Association (BUILA) and chief marketing officer at Solent University, used the opportunity to stress the UK’s potential, especially amid tightening policies in competing destinations.
“We have the opportunity right now to be seen as the sane and stable country to support international student mobility,” he said, noting Canada’s and Australia’s efforts to set strict international enrolment limits.
Bird argued that with better cross-government policy alignment, the UK could position itself as the stable and welcoming choice among the ‘Big Four’ international study destinations.
Elsewhere, the session also examined tuition fee structures, the importance of research funding in supporting universities, and the varying financial challenges faced across the sector.
