The latest annual statistical bulletin from the UK’s higher education data agency (HESA), provides an overview of student enrolments and qualifications for the 2024/25 academic year, covering higher education providers across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  

The data shows a continuation of the downward trend in total enrolments that began in 2022/23, marking a clear shift from the stable growth observed between 2015/16 and 2021/22. The total number of higher education student enrolments for 2024/25 stood at 2,863,180, a decrease of 1% from 2,900,240 from the previous year. 

Similarly, the total number of qualifications awarded registered a 1% decrease compared to 2023/24, with 1,043,665 qualifications awarded in 2024/25. Among full-time qualifiers, postgraduate numbers declined by 5%, with the slight increase (1%) in Postgraduate research (PGR) qualifications being outweighed by the decline in postgraduate taught (PGT) qualifications, which fell by 6%. On the other hand, full-time undergraduate qualifiers increased by 2%, suggesting relative resilience despite pressures elsewhere in the system. 

The UK confirms its role as a global higher education market, with almost one out of four students (24%) enrolled in the UK coming from abroad in 2024/25.  

However, international recruitment patterns seem to mirror the negative trends observed at systemic level. Enrolments from both EU and non-EU students continue to decline, marking a sharp 16% and 5% decrease respectively compared to the previous year. Together, students from India and China account for 47% of all non-EU international students, with India remaining the leading sending country for the third consecutive year. 

The 2024/25 data points to a higher education system in transition. Overall enrolments continue to edge downward, and international recruitment has softened across both EU and non-EU markets. While the overall changes are modest, the continuation of these trends suggests a slightly contracting recruitment environment across UK higher education. At the same time, steady undergraduate performance and growth in postgraduate research completions offer areas of stability and potential opportunity.