Queen's University Belfast: international student trends
Non-UK enrolment, international share, and the top countries of domicile for students at Queen's University Belfast. Source: HESA/Jisc, 2024/25 release. Part of our UK international student statistics.
Queen's University Belfast enrolled 5,480 international students in 2024/25, making up 21.9% of the student body (up 30.3% over five years).
International enrolment over time
| Year | International students | Total students | International share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | 2,590 | 23,855 | 10.9% |
| 2015/16 | 2,805 | 23,870 | 11.8% |
| 2016/17 | 3,065 | 23,850 | 12.9% |
| 2017/18 | 3,605 | 24,490 | 14.7% |
| 2018/19 | 3,780 | 24,695 | 15.3% |
| 2019/20 | 4,205 | 24,915 | 16.9% |
| 2020/21 | 4,985 | 25,365 | 19.7% |
| 2021/22 | 5,175 | 25,295 | 20.5% |
| 2022/23 | 5,775 | 25,600 | 22.6% |
| 2023/24 | 5,625 | 24,930 | 22.6% |
| 2024/25 | 5,480 | 25,080 | 21.9% |
Top countries of domicile
| Country | Latest students | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Ireland | 1,660 | +120% |
| India | 785 | +1863% |
| China | 605 | +8% |
| United States | 385 | +285% |
| Malaysia | 275 | -19% |
| Indonesia | 150 | +900% |
Want to know what Queen's University Belfast graduates go on to earn? See graduate outcomes at Queen's University Belfast.
Methodology & attribution
Source: HESA/Jisc (hesa.ac.uk). International = non-UK country of domicile. Figures aggregated from country-of-domicile rows and rounded by HESA to the nearest 5, so small counts are approximate. 2024/25 release.
Frequently asked questions
How many international students does Queen's University Belfast have?
HESA/Jisc data (2024/25 release) shows Queen's University Belfast enrolled 5,480 international (non-UK domiciled) students in 2024/25. The table above shows the year-by-year trend.
What share of Queen's University Belfast's students are international?
International students made up 21.9% of the student body at Queen's University Belfast in the latest HESA release, up from earlier years shown in the chart above.
Is international enrolment at Queen's University Belfast growing?
International enrolment at Queen's University Belfast has grown by 30.3% over the five-year period covered by the latest HESA data.
Which countries do most of Queen's University Belfast's international students come from?
Ireland is the largest source country for international students at Queen's University Belfast, per HESA/Jisc country-of-domicile data. The table above lists the top source countries and how they've changed.
Can international graduates from Queen's University Belfast work in the UK after finishing?
Yes. Graduates of any UK university that holds a Student-sponsor licence, including Queen's University Belfast, can apply for the Graduate visa (2 years for bachelor's/master's, 3 years for PhD) without needing a job offer. To stay longer, a graduate typically switches to the Skilled Worker route with a sponsoring employer.
When is HESA international enrolment data refreshed?
HESA/Jisc publishes "Where students study" data once a year. We refresh this page from the new release shortly after it's published.