University of Plymouth: international student trends
Non-UK enrolment, international share, and the top countries of domicile for students at University of Plymouth. Source: HESA/Jisc, 2024/25 release. Part of our UK international student statistics.
University of Plymouth enrolled 2,130 international students in 2024/25, making up 11.9% of the student body (up 12.4% over five years).
International enrolment over time
| Year | International students | Total students | International share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | 2,500 | 25,895 | 9.7% |
| 2015/16 | 2,270 | 23,155 | 9.8% |
| 2016/17 | 2,090 | 21,645 | 9.7% |
| 2017/18 | 2,060 | 20,765 | 9.9% |
| 2018/19 | 1,850 | 19,645 | 9.4% |
| 2019/20 | 1,895 | 18,410 | 10.3% |
| 2020/21 | 2,065 | 18,905 | 10.9% |
| 2021/22 | 2,355 | 19,095 | 12.3% |
| 2022/23 | 2,975 | 19,830 | 15% |
| 2023/24 | 2,775 | 19,230 | 14.4% |
| 2024/25 | 2,130 | 17,945 | 11.9% |
Top countries of domicile
| Country | Latest students | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Nigeria | 310 | +107% |
| China | 260 | -56% |
| India | 235 | +327% |
| Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China) | 100 | -41% |
| Sri Lanka | 70 | +1300% |
| Malaysia | 65 | -13% |
Want to know what University of Plymouth graduates go on to earn? See graduate outcomes at University of Plymouth.
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 University of Plymouth have?
HESA/Jisc data (2024/25 release) shows University of Plymouth enrolled 2,130 international (non-UK domiciled) students in 2024/25. The table above shows the year-by-year trend.
What share of University of Plymouth's students are international?
International students made up 11.9% of the student body at University of Plymouth in the latest HESA release, up from earlier years shown in the chart above.
Is international enrolment at University of Plymouth growing?
International enrolment at University of Plymouth has grown by 12.4% over the five-year period covered by the latest HESA data.
Which countries do most of University of Plymouth's international students come from?
Nigeria is the largest source country for international students at University of Plymouth, per HESA/Jisc country-of-domicile data. The table above lists the top source countries and how they've changed.
Can international graduates from University of Plymouth work in the UK after finishing?
Yes. Graduates of any UK university that holds a Student-sponsor licence, including University of Plymouth, 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.