Universities’ over-reliance on direct international student recruitment is leaving them too exposed to policy volatility, according to a new report from the British Council.
The body found that in 2023-24, nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of all overseas entrants were recruited directly, with no prior experience of UK education. The proportion was higher – 76 per cent – among postgraduate taught students.
The remainder were recruited via pathways such as prior UK study in schools or colleges or taking part in UK universities’ transnational education or foundation programmes.
Having pre-existing engagement with the UK was identified in the study as being more resilient to recent shocks that have led to unpredictable enrolments.
UK overseas entrants peaked at 298,930 in 2022-23, before falling back to 267,230 in 2023-24 amid a tightening of visa rules and a harsher political climate.
