The most common type of study for international students in Wales – Darogan
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The most common type of study for international students in Wales

8 September 2024

Owain James

At what level of study do international students come to Wales?

As the graphic below highlights, international students are best represented on full-time postgradate courses in Wales. While UK based students are generally in the majority, comprising 83% of all students, international students are in the majority with 60% on full-time postgraduate courses. As the graph illustrates, these international students mainly come from non-European countries.

Why is full-time postgraduate study so popular with non-EU students compared with the other categories? Some suggestions:

  • There are often financial benefits to studying locally for your first degree, both formally through grants and subsidies, and informally through family support
  • Due to the high cost of moving to Wales for study (including flights and high tuition fees), many come after a period of working. They have received their first degree in their country of origin, have gained industry experience, and then come when they are in a financially more stable position
  • Age may be a factor. Moving to a distant country is probably a more daunting prospect for an 18 year old than someone in their twenties or older
  • For non-EU countries like Australia and the USA this is not an issue, but in many cases English is a second language for Non-EU international students. By coming at a later stage in their studies, these students have had time to improve their English language skills to study through this medium

Although international students make up a lower percentage of full-time undergraduate students, because this is the most popular category of study overall, international students are a significant minority. More than 10% of these students are international, totalling 8,980 students, when EU and Non-EU students are combined.

Interestingly, the rates of international students undertaking part-time study (at undergraduate and post-graduate level) are much lower. Studying part-time usually comes part and parcel with part-time work and / or family support – which are more likely to be available for international students in their country of origin.

However, there are some nuances to note. The percentage of EU students across the different categories of study remains relatively consistent at around the 2-3% mark.

I think this data suggests a couple of things for employers to consider when it comes to international students and their qualities:

  • They often have multiple degrees – they are a highly educated group!
  • They often come to study in the UK after gaining industry experience back home. From my experience of candidate sifting, it is striking just how much industry experience international students can have compared with students from the UK applying for the same entry-level graduate role

I also think that coming to the UK for study from another country, at any level, suggests a high degree of resilience – to learn a language, adapt to a culture, and move away from friends and family.

[Data from HESA]