UK public considers international students economically beneficial, study finds
A new study by the Policy Institute at King’s College London highlights the UK public’s generally favourable attitudes towards international students, despite some shifts in perspective over recent years.
Conducted through nationally representative surveys by Focaldata, the research reveals the economic and social perceptions surrounding overseas students and their role in the UK’s higher education landscape.
Economic contributions widely recognised
Six in 10 (60%) people in the UK believe international students bring significant economic benefits to the country, with only 12% disagreeing.
Furthermore, 41% of respondents feel the benefits of hosting international students outweigh the costs, nearly double the 22% who think otherwise.
A key reason for this positive view is public awareness of the financial contributions made by international students.
Half of those surveyed correctly recognize that the higher tuition fees paid by overseas students help subsidize places for domestic undergraduates.
This is particularly critical as UK universities often operate at a loss when educating British students, using international fees to balance their budgets.
Preferences on student numbers and migration framing
When asked about the number of international students in the UK, 43% of respondents preferred the current levels to remain unchanged, while 15% supported an increase.
Only 26% expressed a desire to reduce numbers. However, attitudes are influenced by how the issue is framed.
When respondents were informed of international students’ positive economic impact, only 17% favoured cutting numbers, compared to 30% who supported reductions after being presented with a framing linking students to rising net migration.
This framing effect underscores the importance of context in public opinion.
While the broader immigration debate has grown more negative—52% of people in 2023 said immigration should be reduced, up from 42% in 2022—international students remain a relatively low concern.
Only 29% of respondents believe international students should be included in the UK’s official immigration statistics, far lower than the proportion for other immigrant groups, such as refugees (70%).
Shifting perceptions and challenges ahead
Despite the overall positive sentiment, there has been a slight decline in favourable views toward international students since 2018.
Back then, 67% acknowledged their economic benefits, and 50% said the benefits outweighed the costs, compared to 60% and 41% today, respectively.
Additionally, 29% now believe international students impose a significant cost on the economy, up from 22% six years ago.
These shifts reflect broader trends in attitudes toward immigration and higher education. According to Professor Bobby Duffy, director of the Policy Institute:
“Despite large rises in net migration in recent years and increased focus on immigration in the media and politics, the majority of the public still have a positive view of overseas students coming to the UK. … There is also surprisingly high recognition among the public that the fees paid by these overseas students help universities support places for domestic students.”
Implications for policy and universities
The UK government’s stance on welcoming international students aligns with public opinion and the financial realities of higher education.
Given the precarious financial position of many universities, further reductions in overseas student numbers could threaten the viability of institutions heavily reliant on international tuition fees.
As Professor Duffy notes, maintaining or increasing these numbers will likely be essential for sustaining the UK’s higher education system, both economically and socially.
Survey methodology
The findings are based on surveys conducted with 3,732 respondents aged 16 and older across two periods: May 1–9 and June 6–10, 2024. The data was weighted by age, gender, region, ethnicity, and education to ensure a nationally representative sample.
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