Analysis of international student enrolments for courses starting in January 2025

The Chartered ABS has published its analysis of international student enrolments in UK business schools for courses starting in January 2025. We continue to monitor the impact of international student recruitment on our members following Government policy changes introduced since 2023. 

The report shows that international student recruitment by UK business schools continues to be adversely impacted by the policy environment. International students are vital to the UK economy with an estimated economic impact of £42bn each year. The UK’s business schools teach approximately one third of all international students studying in UK universities. 

Key findings from the report include: 

A majority of schools reported that international enrolments were down, but the proportion is lower than in January 2024 

• 58% of the responding schools reported that international student enrolments were down relative to a year ago. This is an improvement on the January 2024 survey when 76% of the schools said that enrolments were lower. 

Postgraduate international enrolments in particular remain under pressure 

• 62% of the schools saw lower postgraduate enrolments in January 2025 compared to a year ago.  

• For recruitment targets for postgraduate internationals, one-quarter were significantly below target, although this is an improvement on the 61% of schools who were significantly below target in the January 2024 survey. 

Our members continue to experience adverse impacts from the ban on dependents’ visas 

• A majority of the responding schools reported that the dependents' visas ban has continued to negatively impact their recruitment.  

• Recruitment for MBA programmes and MSc programmes with an international focus were noted as being especially impacted. 

Business schools have a diverse offer for January in-takes 

• The schools who responded to the survey offer a wide range of programmes at postgraduate level with a January start, ranging from the generalist Business & Management courses to more specialised courses such as Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Management.  

Download the full report: Chartered ABS Pulse Survey - International Student enrolments in January 2025