Briefing – International Students in the UK

13 August 2024

International students help make the UK a world leader in education, supporting our economy, society, domestic students and research.

International demand for our higher education should be regarded as a genuine UK success story.

Overseas students bring new skills and diverse perspectives to our classrooms and labs, strengthen the UK’s international relations and drive research and innovation across the country:

  • Over a quarter of world leaders were educated at a UK university, conferring soft power benefits for generations to come.
  • Alumni help forge new links with overseas businesses and research organisations, boosting trade and providing opportunities for FDI in UK research.
  • A single cohort of international students generates £37.4bn net economic impact for the UK.
  • Entrepreneurial international students launch spinouts in the UK that create jobs, attract inward investment and spur economic growth.
  • Skilled international graduates will be an integral part of the future workforce, bolstering the UK’s R&D capability and staffing innovative British businesses that will be central to realising the ambitions of government’s new Industrial Strategy.

Find out more in our latest briefing.

 

International Students in the UK

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