The number of international students studying UK qualifications abroad rose by 4.9% last year. The findings come soon after QAA and the UK Higher Education International Unit have launched a consultation into strengthening the quality of transnational education.

Industry commentators have been quick to point out that recent HESA statistics for EU and non-EU intake in 2012/13 are the first statistical confirmation that current visa policy is eroding the UK's market share in international education.

Growth in the number of non-EU students at UK universities is slowing, figures today show, with the total up just 2% last year – down from 5.5% in 2010/11. The PIE News has learned this was caused partly by a slump in Indian enrolments, which fell by almost a quarter. However, the number of people studying offshore has risen dramatically.

Thirty-five per cent of tuition fee income at UK universities came from non-EU students last year, according to new figures from HESA. Of the total £8.3 billion taken in fees by universities in 2010-11, £2.9 billion was paid by students from outside the EU. This is up from £1.5 billion five years ago.

The UK welcomed 5.5% more international students in 2010/11 than the previous year, with big rises in Chinese and Saudi numbers, according to the latest figures from HESA. Other countries with growth stories included Germany, Nigeria and Romania.