For the first time, HESA has collected comprehensive data on the number of students studying outside the UK for qualifications awarded by UK HE institutions (HEIs). The new data, published today, shows that 196,640 ‘offshore students' were studying entirely overseas for HE level awards from 112 UK HEIs during the 2007/08 academic year.
‘Distance learning' courses accounted for more than half of the offshore provision of UK higher education (100,360 students). Meanwhile, 7,090 students were studying at overseas campuses directly run by UK HEIs. Most of the remaining 89,190 students were studying for qualifications offered by UK institutions in collaboration with foreign partners. Just under a third of offshore students were studying for postgraduate qualifications.