Introduction
There are around 680,000 International students in the UK – which is around one quarter of the total students at UK universities.
Most Popular UK Universities for International Students
International students select universities based on their world ranking (the UK hosts many of the top universities in the world) and their location in major economic and cultural centres.
(Source: UCAS International Student Data, 2024)
How and why do International students choose a particular university?
Many International students may use a home-based agent to manage the process for them and these agents will often have pre-existing relationships with specific universities. Be careful if you are considering using an agent as they may be very expensive and the universities and courses they suggest may not be the best option for you.
You may also see that some UK universities actively market their courses in your home country – again, take care that the university and the course are the right choice for you. There are many other options out there which may suit you much more.
Your first consideration should be the course you wish to study and you should closely examine the course structure to ensure that it meets your requirements.
UKVisaTeam Insight: “Use the British Council website to search for institutions and courses: Study UK Homepage | Study UK”
Students will also want to consider the location of the universities with their chosen courses and the reality of living there for their period of study.
Many international students will consider which UK cities already have diverse populations, whether or not originally from their home country. London will be an appealing choice for many with around 40% of residents not born in the UK and high levels of diversity. However, prospective students will often also consider the cost of living, with London and the South of England generally the most expensive places to live, while Northern England, Scotland, Northern Island and Wales are more affordable.
Manchester and Birmingham may be popular choices as more affordable large English cities with over a quarter of their populations being born outside the UK. Many international students will also consider Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland for similar reasons as these both have thriving diverse populations.
Scholarships for International students
Look out for:
- Chevening Scholarship (UK Government)
(Only for 1 year Masters courses and highly competitive)
- UK GREAT scholarships
(Each scholarship is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign and the British Council with participating UK higher education institutions.
- Commonwealth Shared Scholarship
(Masters level study)
- University-specific scholarships
(these will commonly offer 10-30% tuition fee discounts)
- Government scholarships
(Check if your own Government offers any funding for students going overseas)
- International agency scholarships
(Check websites of NGOs related to your area of study for scholarships)
- International corporation scholarships
(Check major global players in your area of study as they will be keen to fund global talent)
Applying for a scholarship can also strengthen your visa application by proving credible funding.
UKVisaTeam Insight: “Applicants who attach official scholarship or sponsorship letters have a significantly higher approval rate.”
The Visa Connection
After accepting an offer, your university will issue a CAS letter.
Your UK visa success depends heavily on:
- Accurate financial proof
- English proficiency
- Genuine student intent – Statement of Purpose (SOP)
UKVisaTeam Insight: “Your SOP should explain why this course fits your career — avoid copying templates. The best way to impress UKVI is to show you chose your course and university deliberately — not just because you ‘want to go abroad'. Avoid “quick fix” agents who promise guaranteed admission or CAS — these lead to refusals.
