University of Reading: international student trends
Non-UK enrolment, international share, and the top countries of domicile for students at Reading. Source: HESA/Jisc, 2024/25 release. Part of our UK international student statistics.
Reading enrolled 3,850 international students in 2024/25, making up 18% of the student body (down 14% over five years).
International enrolment over time
| Year | International students | Total students | International share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | 3,850 | 14,325 | 26.9% |
| 2015/16 | 3,985 | 14,980 | 26.6% |
| 2016/17 | 4,115 | 15,840 | 26% |
| 2017/18 | 4,365 | 16,995 | 25.7% |
| 2018/19 | 4,285 | 17,805 | 24.1% |
| 2019/20 | 4,475 | 18,735 | 23.9% |
| 2020/21 | 4,175 | 19,980 | 20.9% |
| 2021/22 | 3,925 | 19,390 | 20.2% |
| 2022/23 | 4,040 | 19,485 | 20.7% |
| 2023/24 | 3,825 | 20,245 | 18.9% |
| 2024/25 | 3,850 | 21,370 | 18% |
Top countries of domicile
| Country | Latest students | Change |
|---|---|---|
| China | 1,000 | +22% |
| India | 265 | +194% |
| Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) | 205 | +17% |
| Nigeria | 160 | -22% |
| Malaysia | 150 | -39% |
| Saudi Arabia | 120 | +9% |
Want to know what Reading graduates go on to earn? See graduate outcomes at Reading.
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 Reading have?
HESA/Jisc data (2024/25 release) shows Reading enrolled 3,850 international (non-UK domiciled) students in 2024/25. The table above shows the year-by-year trend.
What share of Reading's students are international?
International students made up 18% of the student body at Reading in the latest HESA release, up from earlier years shown in the chart above.
Is international enrolment at Reading growing?
International enrolment at Reading has fallen by 14% over the five-year period covered by the latest HESA data.
Which countries do most of Reading's international students come from?
China is the largest source country for international students at Reading, per HESA/Jisc country-of-domicile data. The table above lists the top source countries and how they've changed.
Can international graduates from Reading work in the UK after finishing?
Yes. Graduates of any UK university that holds a Student-sponsor licence, including Reading, 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.