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Students in Higher Education Institutions 2009/10

The new fully electronic, instantly downloadable, Students in Higher Education Institutions 2009/10 is published today by HESA. The new publication includes more data, in an easier to use format than previous paper and CD volumes.

Students in Higher Education Institutions 2009/10 shows that there were 2,493,415 students in higher education in the UK in 2009/10. Of these 2,087,615 (83.7%) were UK domicile students, 125,045 (5.0%) were from other EU member countries and 280,760 (11.3%) were from non-EU countries.

The table below shows the rate of increase of students by domicile. The number of students from non-EU countries increased at a faster rate since 2008/09 than numbers of UK domicile students.

Students at UK HE institutions by domicile 2008/09 and 2009/10
Domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change
UK 2027085 2087615 3.0%
Other EU 117660 125045 6.3%
Non-EU 251310 280760 11.7%
Total 2396050 2493415 4.1%
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09, 2009/10
See Annex below for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland figures

Students from China and India accounted for over a third of all non-EU domicile students at UK HE institutions in 2009/10. The table below shows the growth in numbers of students from the top ten non-EU countries of domicile from 2008/09 to 2009/10. Thailand enters the top ten in 2009/10 for the first time, overtaking Taiwan.

Top ten non-EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students in UK Higher Education Institutions
Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change
China 47035 56990 21.1%
India 34065 38500 13.0%
Nigeria 14380 16680 16.0%
United States 14345 15060 5.0%
Malaysia 12695 14060 10.7%
Hong Kong 9600 9945 3.6%
Pakistan 9610 9815 2.1%
Saudi Arabia 5205 8340 60.3%
Canada 5350 5575 4.2%
Thailand 4675 5505 17.8%
All other non-EU countries 94355 100290 6.3%
Total non-EU domicile 251310 280760 11.7%
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09, 2009/10
See Annex below for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland figures

The number of students from other EU countries also continued to rise between 2008/09 and 2009/10. The table below shows the growth in numbers of students from the top ten other EU countries of domicile in 2009/10. Bulgaria enters the top ten in 2009/10 for the first time, overtaking both Sweden and the Netherlands.

Top ten other EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students in UK Higher Education Institutions
Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change
Ireland 15360 16595 8.1%
Germany 14130 15425 9.2%
France 13090 13780 5.3%
Greece 12035 11785 -2.1%
Cyprus 10370 11160 7.6%
Poland 9145 8415 -8.0%
Italy 6035 6550 8.5%
Spain 5690 5720 0.6%
Bulgaria 2185 3395 55.3%
Netherlands 3200 3270 2.2%
All Other EU countries 26420 28940 9.6%
Total other EU domicile 117660 125045 6.3%
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09, 2009/10
See Annex below for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland figures

Over half of all non-UK domicile students in 2009/10 were studying for postgraduate qualifications. While the majority of UK domicile postgraduate students studied part-time, most non-UK postgraduate students were studying full-time. The table below shows the number of students by domicile, level of study and mode of study in 2009/10.

Students by domicile, level of study and mode of study 2009/10
  Postgraduate Undergraduate  
Domicile Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time All students
UK 131590 242720 1160865 552440 2087615
Non-UK 166670 37730 173035 28370 405805
Total 298255 280450 1333900 580810 2493415
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2009/10
See Annex below for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland figures

Students in Higher Education Institutions 2009/10 includes comprehensive data on student domicile, level and mode of study, subjects of study, qualifications obtained, offshore provision, and more. Students in Higher Education Institutions 2009/10 is available now in the new instantly downloadable format from our website.

A schedule of HESA releases for 2011 can be found here.

Notes for editors

  1. Press enquiries should be directed to:
  2. In the above data and annex tables 0, 1, 2 are rounded to 0. All other numbers are rounded up or down to the nearest multiple of 5.
  3. HESA student data is collected from all publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the UK, plus the University of Buckingham, which is a non-publicly-funded institution. The 2008/09 data covers 165 HEIs (131 in England, 11 in Wales, 19 in Scotland and 4 in Northern Ireland).
  4. HESA cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived from the data by third parties.
  5. Equivalent tables for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can be found in the Annex below.
  6. Equivalent tables for 2007/08 can be found in Press Release 144.
  7. Definitions of the terms used in this press release follow:

    Definitions

    The HESA standard registration population includes all higher education students active at a reporting institution in the reporting period 1 August to 31 July.  Students who leave within two weeks of their instance start date, or anniversary of their start date, and are on a course of more than two weeks duration, are not included in the standard registration population.

    Also excluded from this population are:

    1. Dormant students (those who have ceased studying but have not formally de-registered)
    2. Postdoctoral students
    3. Incoming visiting and exchange students
    4. Students where the whole of the programme of study is outside of the UK, and from 2007/08:
    5. Students on sabbatical, and
    6. Writing-up students.

    Level of study

    The level of study is taken from the qualification aim of the student.

    HESA classifies courses according to a framework which aligns with the framework for HE qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (FHEQ), the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) (of which the framework for qualifications of HE institutions in Scotland is a constituent part) and the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) and Bologna frameworks. Details are available at www.hesa.ac.uk/C07051/a/COURSEAIM. It includes level M for taught masters degrees, and level H for honours degrees.

    Postgraduate courses are those leading to higher degrees, diplomas and certificates (including Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE at level M) and professional qualifications) which usually require a first degree as an entry qualification (i.e. already qualified at level H).

    Undergraduate courses are programmes of study at level H, including, but not limited to, first degrees (including eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care or veterinary statutory regulatory body), first degrees with qualified teacher status (QTS)/registration with the General Teaching Council (GTC), Postgraduate bachelors degrees at level H, enhanced first degrees, first degrees obtained concurrently with a diploma and intercalated first degrees, Professional Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE at level H), foundation degrees, diplomas in HE with eligibility to register to practice with a health or social care regulatory body, Higher National Diploma (HND), Higher National Certificate (HNC), Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE), foundation courses at HE level, National qualifications framework levels 4 and 5, post-degree diplomas and certificates at undergraduate level, professional qualifications at undergraduate level and other undergraduate diplomas and certificates including post-registration health and social care courses. Entrants to these programmes of study do not usually require an HE qualification.

    Mode of study

    Full-time students are those normally required to attend an institution for periods amounting to at least 24 weeks within the year of study, on thick or thin sandwich courses, and those on a study-related year out of their institution. During that time students are normally expected to undertake periods of study, tuition or work experience which amount to an average of at least 21 hours per week.

    Part-time students are those recorded as studying part-time, or studying full-time on courses lasting less than 24 weeks, on block release, or studying during the evenings only. 

    Domicile

    Domicile data is supplied to HESA in the form of postcodes (UK domiciled students) or country codes. Postcodes are mapped to counties, unitary authorities and UK nations using the National Statistics Postcode Directory. Countries are mapped to geographical regions following consultation with the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Where no data is supplied about the student's domicile, fee eligibility is used to assign to either UK region unknown or Non-European Union unknown.

    UK domiciled students are those whose normal residence is in the UK, and for the purposes of this publication include Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. (Officially, the Crown Dependencies of Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK or the EU.)

    (Other) European Union (EU) students are those whose normal residence is in countries which were European Union (EU) members as at 1 December of the reporting period. Where EU countries are shown separately, from 2007/08, individual country figures exclude those domiciled in the country's overseas territories (e.g. Netherlands Antilles, French Guiana). These figures are included in European Union not otherwise specified.

    Non-European Union students are those whose normal residence prior to commencing their programme of study was outside the EU. Where Non-EU countries are shown separately, individual country figures exclude the country's overseas territories (e.g. Svalbard, Cook Islands). These figures are included in the Other countries not listed category of the geographic area in which they lie.

Ends

Annex: Equivalent tables for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

England

Students at HEIs in England by domicile 2008/09 and 2009/10   Top ten other EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in England
Domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change
UK 1701060 1758675 3.4%   Germany 11095 11960 7.8%
Other EU 92880 98060 5.6%   Cyprus 10010 10760 7.5%
Non-EU 211900 236900 11.8%   France 9730 10485 7.8%
Total 2005840 2093635 4.4%   Greece 10465 10170 -2.8%
    Ireland 8085 8320 2.9%
Top ten non-EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in England   Poland 6625 6145 -7.2%
Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Italy 5305 5750 8.3%
China 40160 48625 21.1%   Spain 4205 4405 4.9%
India 27590 31195 13.1%   Bulgaria 1910 2885 51.2%
Nigeria 11305 13525 19.7%   Romania 1940 2835 46.0%
Malaysia 10790 12095 12.1%   All other EU countries 23520 24340 3.5%
United States 10450 11100 6.2%   Total other EU domicile 92880 98060 5.6%  
Hong Kong 8575 9105 6.2%    
Pakistan 8110 8155 0.6%   Students at HEIs in England by domicile, level of study and mode of study 2009/10
Saudi Arabia 4305 6975 62.1%     Postgraduate Undergraduate  
Thailand 4285 4955 15.6%   Domicile Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time All students
Taiwan 4635 4515 -2.6%   UK 109215 206760 952295 490405 1758675
All other non-EU countries 81695 86655 6.1%   Non-UK 140650 28705 143505 22095 334955
Total non-EU domicile 211900 236900 11.8%   Total 249865 235465 1095800 512500 2093635
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09, 2009/10    

Wales

Students at HEIs in Wales by domicile 2008/09 and 2009/10   Top ten other EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in Wales
Domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change
UK 105340 103855 -1.4%   Ireland 1225 1195 -2.4%
Other EU 7505 6845 -8.8%   Germany 1045 1165 11.5%
Non-EU 13630 17185 26.1%   France 1575 1135 -28.0%
Total 126475 127885 1.1%   Spain 1015 780 -23.4%
    Poland 810 605 -25.2%
Top ten non-EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in Wales   Greece 465 445 -3.7%
Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Bulgaria 105 205 93.5%
India 3005 3915 30.4%   Italy 150 190 27.3%
China 2425 3275 34.9%   Portugal 145 125 -16.3%
Pakistan 730 850 16.4%   Finland 115 125 5.1%
Nigeria 635 820 28.6%   All other EU countries 850 875 3.2%
Malaysia 640 675 5.8%   Total other EU domicile 7505 6845 -8.8%  
Saudi Arabia 345 620 80.3%    
Bangladesh 320 555 74.5%   Students at HEIs in Wales by domicile, level of study and mode of study 2009/10
Hong Kong 455 420 -7.9%     Postgraduate Undergraduate  
United States 435 400 -8.0%   Domicile Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time All students
Sri Lanka 190 290 53.2%   UK 6550 9685 65045 22575 103855
All other non-EU countries 4445 5355 20.5%   Non-UK 7715 4365 8700 3250 24030
Total non-EU domicile 13630 17185 26.1%   Total 14265 14050 73750 25825 127885
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09, 2009/10    

Scotland

Students at HEIs in Scotland by domicile 2008/09 and 2009/10   Top ten other EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in Scotland
Domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change
UK 177950 179905 1.1%   Ireland 2810 3280 16.8%
Other EU 13585 15930 17.3%   Germany 1890 2190 15.9%
Non-EU 23960 25075 4.7%   France 1725 2100 21.9%
Total 215495 220910 2.5%   Poland 1670 1630 -2.4%
    Greece 1070 1145 7.0%
Top ten non-EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in Scotland   Italy 545 580 6.8%
Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Spain 445 515 15.9%
China 4060 4680 15.3%   Sweden 400 490 23.6%
United States 3230 3325 3.0%   Netherlands 310 380 21.9%
India 3285 3185 -3.1%   Finland 290 355 24.0%
Nigeria 2410 2280 -5.3%   All other EU countries 2435 3255 33.9%
Malaysia 1120 1130 1.1%   Total other EU domicile 13585 15930 17.3%  
Canada 895 890 -0.6%    
Pakistan 740 775 4.9%   Students at HEIs in Scotland by domicile, level of study and mode of study 2009/10
Saudi Arabia 535 720 35.5%     Postgraduate Undergraduate  
Norway 470 525 11.7%   Domicile Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time All students
Taiwan 455 430 -5.1%   UK 12520 21600 114560 31220 179905
All other non-EU countries 6765 7125 5.3%   Non-UK 16600 3205 19275 1930 41005
Total non-EU domicile 23960 25075 4.7%   Total 29120 24805 133835 33150 220910
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09, 2009/10    

Northern Ireland

Students at HEIs in Northern Ireland by domicile 2008/09 and 2009/10   Top ten other EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in Northern Ireland
Domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change
UK 42735 45180 5.7%   Ireland 3240 3800 17.2%
Other EU 3685 4210 14.1%   Germany 100 110 10.0%
Non-EU 1820 1605 -12.0%   France 60 60 -3.2%
Total 48240 50990 5.7%   Poland 40 30 -23.1%
    Italy 35 30 -18.9%
Top ten non-EU countries of domicile in 2009/10 for HE students at HEIs in Northern Ireland   reece 35 25 -27.8%
Country of domicile 2008/09 2009/10 % change   Sweden 20 25 4.5%
China 390 410 5.9%   Spain 25 20 -17.4%
United States 230 230 0.4%   Malta 20 20 -10.0%
India 185 205 10.8%   Romania 10 15 25.0%
Malaysia 145 155 8.3%   All other EU countries 95 80 -17.0%
Brunei 55 65 12.3%   Total other EU domicile 3685 4210 14.1%  
Nigeria 30 50 67.7%    
Canada 40 50 26.3%   Students at HEIs in Northern Ireland by domicile, level of study and mode of study 2009/10
Hong Kong 60 40 -27.6     Postgraduate Undergraduate  
Pakistan 25 30 14.8%   Domicile Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time All students
Gambia, The 15 30 130.8%   UK 3300 4675 28965 8235 45180
All other non-EU countries 645 330 -49.0%   Non-UK 1700 1455 1550 1100 5810
Total non-EU domicile 1820 1605 -12.0%   Total 5005 6130 30515 9340 50990
Source: HESA Students in Higher Education Institutions 2008/09, 2009/10    
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