Record Number of Chinese Students Apply to UK Universities Through UCAS
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The United Kingdom has witnessed a record surge in Chinese undergraduate applications this year, according to the latest data released by UCAS. A total of 33,870 students from China applied for undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges, marking a 10% increase from 2024’s figure of 30,860.
This rise reinforces China’s status as a key market for British higher education, with the British Universities’ China Association (BUCA) attributing the growth to a mix of academic pressures at home and tightening immigration policies in other major destinations such as the US, Canada, and Australia. BUCA noted that many Chinese families are turning to international schools over the competitive domestic public system, leading students to seek undergraduate opportunities abroad.
The increase in Chinese applicants comes alongside notable year-on-year rises from Ireland (15%), Nigeria (23%), and the United States (14%). In total, 138,460 international students submitted undergraduate applications via UCAS by June 2025, a 2.2% rise compared to the previous year.
Despite the overall growth, international applicants from outside the EU remain the least likely to receive an offer, with only 63.5% securing one, though this is still an improvement from last year. Nonetheless, more than two million offers have been made to undergraduate applicants overall, marking a 9% increase since 2023.
Commenting on the trend, education data expert Mark Corver highlighted continued weak demand from EU students, excluding Ireland but added that the decline is slowing. UK universities, he said, remain keen on recruiting EU students for the diversity and lower geopolitical risks they bring.
While the record number of Chinese applications is encouraging, BUCA cautioned that rising tuition fees, living costs, and increasing global competition may affect actual enrolments. They stressed the need for data-led, adaptive strategies to ensure long-term success in student recruitment.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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