---
title: Spotlight on UK international student recruitment trends | Adventus.io
description: Why the world’s 2nd most popular study destination wants to diversify its student body
---

[News & Blog | Adventus.io](https://blog.adventus.io)

# [Spotlight on UK international student recruitment trends | Adventus.io](https://blog.adventus.io/spotlight-on-uk-international-student-recruitment-trends)

 Written by [Pam](https://blog.adventus.io/author/pam) | Aug 17, 2020 9:59:00 AM

International student enrolments in the UK **more than doubled** in the last two decades.

 Source: [HESA](https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/16-01-2020/sb255-higher-education-student-statistics/location)

UK is the **second most popular** study destination in the world

- **Academic reputation** – a fifth of the world’s top 50 universities are in the UK
- **Shorter time to complete degrees** – reduces overall tuition fees and accommodation costs
- **Job opportunities** – plus the reintroduction of the 2-year post-study work visa
- **Welcoming culture** – and opportunities to travel easily within Europe

Currently, **70%** of international students come from **outside the European Union (EU)**.

**International student composition**

 Source: [HESA](https://www.hesa.ac.uk/news/16-01-2020/sb255-higher-education-student-statistics/location)

Of which, over a **third come from China** alone. Suggesting an over-reliance on one source country. According to [Study.eu](https://www.study.eu/press/uk-universities-might-lose-84-of-eu-students-at-higher-fees-survey), the top 3 source countries outside the EU are:

- 35% China
- 8% India
- 1% USA

As for international students coming from **within the EU**, this the 30% figure is set to change significantly.

A recent [survey by Study.eu](https://www.study.eu/press/uk-universities-might-lose-84-of-eu-students-at-higher-fees-survey) revealed that **8 in 10 EU students** said they would **“definitely not”** study in the UK when they lose home fee status.

**So where would they go?**

The most popular alternate study destination to the UK is the **Netherlands**.

With UK-China tensions intensifying and the competition within the continent more fierce. The need for UK’s universities to diversify is now more pressing than ever.

[View full post](https://blog.adventus.io/spotlight-on-uk-international-student-recruitment-trends)

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