Indian student entrants to UK universities down 12 Percent for second year

New UK higher education data released on January 27, 2026 shows Indian entrant numbers fell 12% in 2024/25, marking a second consecutive annual decline. The same release points to a broader softening in international recruitment and a parallel rise in UK transnational education (TNE)—students studying overseas for UK qualifications.

UK Student Numbers 2024/25

According to the HESA-linked reporting, total student enrolments at UK higher education institutions fell to 2,863,180 in 2024/25, down 37,060 (1%) year-on-year. Undergraduate enrolments rose 1% to 2,066,630, while postgraduate numbers fell 6% to 796,550.

• The same update says entrant numbers from India declined by 12% for the second year in a row.
• Alongside, falls from China (5%) and Nigeria (33%).
• In contrast, Pakistan rose 5%, and Nepal entered the top five source countries for non-EU students, overtaking the US.

The 2024/25 figures also highlight continuing pressure on taught master’s recruitment: non-UK entrants to taught master’s programmes fell 10% (as reported alongside the release).

A key context point for Indian applicants: UK rules restricting most students from bringing dependants took effect on January 1, 2024 (with exemptions mainly for research programmes).

UK Transnational Education Grows

While onshore numbers dipped, TNE students studying wholly overseas for UK qualifications rose ~8% to 669,950 in 2024/25. Financial Times reporting on the same data adds that 45,790 of these learners were enrolled at overseas campuses of UK institutions.

Treat 2026 intakes as competitive for scholarships and submit earlier, especially for taught master’s. If bringing a spouse/child is important, check whether your course is research-designated under the UK dependant rules. Compare UK vs alternatives if your priority is work + family; don’t assume UK taught master’s pathways are “like 2022/23”.