Surge in Chinese Students as UK University Acceptances Rise by 13%
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The number of Chinese undergraduates accepted in the UK universities has surged by 13% in the past year, according to new data released by the UCAS to coincide with A-level results day.
Figures show that international undergraduate acceptances have risen overall, with 52,640 students admitted in 2025 – a 2.9% increase from 51,170 in 2024. China remains the largest source market, contributing 12,380 acceptances this year, nearly 1,500 more than the previous cycle.
The UCAS chief executive Jo Saxton praised the resilience of this year’s cohort, highlighting the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. “This year’s students were just thirteen when the pandemic hit, and their secondary schooling was turned upside down,” she said. “It is fantastic to see them secure university places in record numbers, pursuing more education and investing in their futures.”
While international recruitment has risen, domestic students in the UK have also enjoyed significant success. A-level results revealed that 28.3% of grades across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland were awarded at A or A* level. Saxton noted that many universities had prioritised enrolling domestic undergraduates amid financial pressures and uncertainties around international students’ enrolments.
Some institutions have even admitted additional UK students who narrowly missed their offer conditions, given the financial stability domestic enrolments provide compared to international counterparts.
The surge in overseas applications, particularly from China, comes at a turbulent time for the higher education sector. Many universities in the UK are grappling with financial strain, with a recent Office for Students report suggesting around four in ten are running at a deficit. In addition, compliance changes around student recruitment have forced certain institutions to limit enrolments in specific courses or regions.
Despite these challenges, popular subjects among this year’s incoming undergraduates include Engineering and Technology, which saw a 12.5% rise to 30,020 acceptances, alongside Mathematics with 9,220 and Law with 27,150.
The rise in Chinese enrolments underscores the continuing global appeal of the UK higher education, even as universities navigate mounting financial and regulatory pressures.
Source: THE PIE NEWS
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