SOAS University of London: international student trends
Non-UK enrolment, international share, and the top countries of domicile for students at SOAS University of London. Source: HESA/Jisc, 2024/25 release. Part of our UK international student statistics.
SOAS University of London enrolled 1,645 international students in 2024/25, making up 25.7% of the student body (down 33% over five years).
International enrolment over time
| Year | International students | Total students | International share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | 2,690 | 5,910 | 45.5% |
| 2015/16 | 2,585 | 6,070 | 42.6% |
| 2016/17 | 2,665 | 6,360 | 41.9% |
| 2017/18 | 2,710 | 6,270 | 43.2% |
| 2018/19 | 2,530 | 5,800 | 43.6% |
| 2019/20 | 2,455 | 5,795 | 42.4% |
| 2020/21 | 2,120 | 5,865 | 36.1% |
| 2021/22 | 2,130 | 6,295 | 33.8% |
| 2022/23 | 1,890 | 6,075 | 31.1% |
| 2023/24 | 1,780 | 6,285 | 28.3% |
| 2024/25 | 1,645 | 6,400 | 25.7% |
Top countries of domicile
| Country | Latest students | Change |
|---|---|---|
| China | 180 | -35% |
| India | 175 | +84% |
| United States | 155 | -22% |
| Pakistan | 125 | +108% |
| France | 60 | -37% |
| Japan | 50 | -50% |
Want to know what SOAS University of London graduates go on to earn? See graduate outcomes at SOAS University of London.
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 SOAS University of London have?
HESA/Jisc data (2024/25 release) shows SOAS University of London enrolled 1,645 international (non-UK domiciled) students in 2024/25. The table above shows the year-by-year trend.
What share of SOAS University of London's students are international?
International students made up 25.7% of the student body at SOAS University of London in the latest HESA release, up from earlier years shown in the chart above.
Is international enrolment at SOAS University of London growing?
International enrolment at SOAS University of London has fallen by 33% over the five-year period covered by the latest HESA data.
Which countries do most of SOAS University of London's international students come from?
China is the largest source country for international students at SOAS University of London, per HESA/Jisc country-of-domicile data. The table above lists the top source countries and how they've changed.
Can international graduates from SOAS University of London work in the UK after finishing?
Yes. Graduates of any UK university that holds a Student-sponsor licence, including SOAS University of London, 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.