Briefing - International students and fair admissions

29 February 2024

Russell Group universities are committed to fair admissions for UK and overseas applicants.

International students are an important part of the student body at our universities, bringing diverse perspectives that enrich the learning environment. They also make a significant contribution to the UK and local economies.

International students are not taking the places of domestic students. Indeed, despite the shortfalls in government funding for UK students, our universities have been able to grow the number of places for UK undergraduates over time because of the funding they receive from international student fees.

Russell Group universities are committed to fair admissions. For each degree programme, our universities have minimum entry requirements that are equivalent for all students, whether they are from the UK or abroad.

We welcome greater transparency of admissions processes and international pathway courses. The Russell Group is supporting the QAA review of International Foundation and Year One programmes. Our universities that use these programmes are volunteering to have them included in this review and are strongly encouraging any pathway providers they partner with to do so also.

Many UK universities use agents to recruit international students, whether directly or through partnership programmes. Those Russell Group universities that use recruitment agents are committed to the UK Agent Quality Framework (AQF), which is also endorsed by the Russell Group.

Read our full briefing on International students and fair admissions below.

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