There was a 7.1% increase in international undergraduate applications via UCAS between 2025 and 2026, representing the highest numbers on record.
International applicants using the organisation’s platform leapt from 138,460 in 2025 to 148,350.
UCAS is working hard to remove barriers to progression and help students make informed decisions
Jo Saxton, UCAS
China (38,000 applicants), India (11,470), the US (8,270), Ireland (6,880) and Hong Kong (4,990) remain the biggest undergraduate markets, according to data published today after the June application deadline.
The organisation stressed that its data only reflected part of international undergraduate admissions.
UCAS chief executive Jo Saxton said that despite the data – which also saw a (5%) rise in domestic 18-year-olds applying by the June 30 deadline – she was “acutely aware” of the financial pressures facing students in an “uncertain economic environment”.
“UCAS is working hard to remove barriers to progression and help students make informed decisions,” she said.
It comes after it was revealed that proceeds from the upcoming levy on the income Englsh institutions make on insternational student fees will go towards funding manintenance grants for domestic students.
The levy has proved to be contentious for the UK market, with critics warning that the policy could see a noticeable drop in interest from an international market – with students from price-senstive sending countries less likely to study at English institutions if the levy’s costs resulted in higher fees.
Last year, UCAS revealed a record number of Chinese students applying for UK undergraduate programs using its platform – a whopping 10% increase on the previous year.
