The University of Aberdeen: international student trends
Non-UK enrolment, international share, and the top countries of domicile for students at The University of Aberdeen. Source: HESA/Jisc, 2024/25 release. Part of our UK international student statistics.
The University of Aberdeen enrolled 2,620 international students in 2024/25, making up 18.8% of the student body (down 49.1% over five years).
International enrolment over time
| Year | International students | Total students | International share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | 3,970 | 14,035 | 28.3% |
| 2015/16 | 4,225 | 14,000 | 30.2% |
| 2016/17 | 4,420 | 14,150 | 31.2% |
| 2017/18 | 4,780 | 14,370 | 33.3% |
| 2018/19 | 5,235 | 14,775 | 35.4% |
| 2019/20 | 5,150 | 15,185 | 33.9% |
| 2020/21 | 4,825 | 16,080 | 30% |
| 2021/22 | 4,690 | 16,565 | 28.3% |
| 2022/23 | 4,050 | 15,455 | 26.2% |
| 2023/24 | 3,450 | 15,455 | 22.3% |
| 2024/25 | 2,620 | 13,930 | 18.8% |
Top countries of domicile
| Country | Latest students | Change |
|---|---|---|
| China | 530 | +253% |
| India | 370 | +429% |
| United States | 230 | +44% |
| Nigeria | 190 | -10% |
| Saudi Arabia | 80 | +100% |
| Ghana | 60 | +200% |
Want to know what The University of Aberdeen graduates go on to earn? See graduate outcomes at The University of Aberdeen.
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 The University of Aberdeen have?
HESA/Jisc data (2024/25 release) shows The University of Aberdeen enrolled 2,620 international (non-UK domiciled) students in 2024/25. The table above shows the year-by-year trend.
What share of The University of Aberdeen's students are international?
International students made up 18.8% of the student body at The University of Aberdeen in the latest HESA release, up from earlier years shown in the chart above.
Is international enrolment at The University of Aberdeen growing?
International enrolment at The University of Aberdeen has fallen by 49.1% over the five-year period covered by the latest HESA data.
Which countries do most of The University of Aberdeen's international students come from?
China is the largest source country for international students at The University of Aberdeen, per HESA/Jisc country-of-domicile data. The table above lists the top source countries and how they've changed.
Can international graduates from The University of Aberdeen work in the UK after finishing?
Yes. Graduates of any UK university that holds a Student-sponsor licence, including The University of Aberdeen, 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.