When people study in the UK, are many Chinese in their classes? In the past few years, there have been more and more people studying in the UK, and I often see people saying that many of their compatriots in their classes are forced to study in reverse. However, some say there aren’t many Asian faces in their majors. So, are you also curious about how many Chinese students come to study in the UK? Which universities have the most Chinese students? Which country has the most significant number of international students in the UK? Today, I will bring you together to reveal the secret: to see the significant universities in the UK, where precisely the most international students are Chinese students!
What Countries do Most Students Come to the UK from?
| Rank | Country | Total Number of Students (2023/24 Academic Year) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 145,620 |
| 2 | India | 107,555 |
| 3 | Nigeria | 28,285 |
According to the latest data released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the 2023/24 academic year, Chinese students remain the largest group outside of UK and EU nationals, totalling 145,620. However, this represents a 4% decrease compared to the 2022/23 academic year. India follows with 107,555 students, marking a 15% decline from the previous academic year. Nigeria ranks third with 28,285 international students, recording the largest drop of 36%.
Which Universities Have the Most Chinese Students
| Rank | University | Number of Chinese Students (2023/24) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University College London (UCL) | 10895 |
| 2 | University of Glasgow | 9795 |
| 3 | University of Manchester | 9620 |
| 4 | University of Edinburgh | 7025 |
| 5 | King’s College London | 6365 |
| 6 | University of Sheffield | 5495 |
| 7 | University of the Arts London | 5080 |
| 8 | University of Southampton | 4970 |
| 9 | University of Leeds | 4765 |
| 10 | University of Birmingham | 4590 |
Having learned which countries have the largest numbers of international students in the UK, you will surely wish to know which British universities enrol the most Chinese students. According to the latest data released by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) for the 2023/24 academic year, the five UK universities with the highest intake of students from mainland China are: University College London (UCL), the University of Glasgow, the University of Manchester, the University of Edinburgh, and King’s College London. Following closely were the University of Sheffield, the University of the Arts London, the University of Southampton, the University of Leeds, and the University of Birmingham. Let us examine the number of Chinese students at each UK university (this and subsequent rankings only include international students from mainland China, excluding those from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan):
| Rank | University | Number of Chinese Students (2023/24) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | University of Nottingham | 4490 |
| 12 | University of Warwick | 4385 |
| 13 | London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) | 4250 |
| 14 | Imperial College London | 4195 |
| 15 | University of Bristol | 4010 |
| 16 | University of York | 3955 |
| 17 | University of Liverpool | 3870 |
| 18 | Durham University | 3760 |
| 19 | Cardiff University | 3685 |
| 20 | Lancaster University | 3590 |
| 21 | University of Exeter | 3455 |
| 22 | Newcastle University | 3320 |
| 23 | University of St Andrews | 2980 |
| 24 | University of Cambridge | 1780 |
| 25 | University of Oxford | 1655 |
| 26 | University of Sussex | 1590 |
| 27 | University of Leicester | 1510 |
| 28 | Queen Mary University of London | 1485 |
| 29 | Queen’s University Belfast | 1420 |
| 30 | University of Hull | 1350 |
Beyond the top ten universities, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) has also compiled data on the universities ranked 11th to 30th in terms of the highest number of mainland Chinese students. According to the latest data for the 2023/24 academic year, these institutions continue to host substantial numbers of Chinese students. For instance, the University of Nottingham, the University of Bristol, the University of York, the University of Liverpool, Durham University, and Cardiff University each host between 3,500 and 4,500 mainland Chinese students. Notably, the prestigious institutions of the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford hosted 1,780 and 1,655 mainland Chinese students respectively during the 2023/24 academic year, climbing to 24th and 25th place in the rankings.
Which Universities Have the Fewest Chinese Students
| University Type | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Specialist Art Institutions | Focus on specialized fields like music, drama, art; small enrollment |
| Small Regional Universities | Mainly local students; low internationalization |
| Religious/Theological Colleges | Specialized curriculum; very few international students |
FAQ
Based on the latest HESA data for 2023/24, the top 10 UK universities with the most Chinese students are:
- University College London (UCL): 10,895 students
- The University of Glasgow: 9,795 students
- The University of Manchester: 9,620 students
- The University of Edinburgh: 7,025 students
- King’s College London: 6,365 students
- The University of Sheffield: 5,495 students
- University of the Arts London: 5,080 students
- The University of Southampton: 4,970 students
- The University of Leeds: 4,765 students
- The University of Birmingham: 4,590 students
The UK is renowned for its high-quality education system, diverse culture, and globally recognized degrees. These factors, combined with the opportunity to improve English language skills and experience life abroad, make it an attractive destination for Chinese students.
Chinese students in the UK often opt for courses like Business Management, Accounting and Finance, and Computer Science due to their strong job prospects and relevance in the global marketplace.
