Government spending on higher or tertiary education in the United Kingdom amounted to 4.5 billion British pounds in 2024/25, compared with 7.2 billion in the previous financial year.

This file contains information on the number of higher education students in the UK, broken down by sex, level of education, mode of study, subject group and domicile.

In 2023/24 there were estimated to be over *** million students enrolled in higher education courses in the United Kingdom, compared with 2.94 million in 2022/23, the highest number of enrolled students during this provided time period. Although the number of students in the UK fell from *** million in 2011/12 to **** by 2014/15, this trend reversed in subsequent years, reaching the peak in the most recent year. Largest UK universities At ******* students, the mainly remote, Open University had the largest number of students enrolled among UK-based higher education institutions in 2022/23. University College London had the second-highest number of students at ******, followed by the University of Manchester at ******. At the UK's two oldest and most prestigious universities, Oxford and Cambridge, there were ******, and ****** students respectively. The university with the most students in Scotland was the University of Glasgow at *******students, with Wales' being Cardiff University at ****** students, and Northern Ireland's Ulster University having ****** students. Student Debt in the UK For students that graduated from English universities in 2024, the average student loan debt incurred over the course of their studies was over ****** British pounds. Although students graduated with less debt from universities in Wales, Northern Ireland, and especially Scotland, this too has been growing recently. In 2024, students from Scottish Universities graduated with an average of ****** pounds of debt, compared with ****** in Wales, and ****** in Northern Ireland. The overall outstanding student loan debt in the UK reached over *** billion pounds in 2023/24, with the vast majority of this debt from students who studied in England.

This bulletin is the annual first release of HESA student data. It draws upon data from the revised student data collection (delivered by the Data Futures programme) and marks the second year of reporting using the new data model. Once again, a comprehensive quality assessment has been undertaken on the dataset and this is detailed in our accompanying student data quality report. A detailed list of findings is available in the data quality and insights resource, which is also accompanied by provider specific data notes. The coverage of data is detailed in the notes section of this release. In summary, we cover data about higher education students and qualifiers from the following types of providers within the UK: -Higher education (HE) providers in England registered with the Office for Students (OfS) in the Approved (fee cap) or Approved categories; -Publicly funded HE providers in Northern Ireland and Scotland; and -Providers in Wales that are funded directly for higher education provision by Medr and providers in Wales that return data to HESA about specifically designated courses. This bulletin also includes information from the HESA Aggregate Offshore record which can be seen in Figure 12. This separate record counts students studying wholly outside the UK who are either registered with the reporting HE provider or who are studying for an award of the reporting HE provider.

Presents an overview of all aspects of higher education in the UK. It draws together data on students, staff and institutional finance, applicants via the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS), graduates and graduate destinations, student support, and international comparisons.

Source agency: Business, Innovation and Skills

Designation: National Statistics

Language: English

Alternative title: Higher Education Statistics for the United Kingdom

There were 296 higher education institutions in the United Kingdom in the 2022/23 academic year, compared with the previous year when there were 288.

In 2023/24 income from tuition fees accounted for approximately **** percent of income for higher education institutions in the United Kingdom, compared with **** percent in the previous year.

This file contains information on the number of further and higher education providers in the UK.

This bulletin provides details of staff employment at UK higher education (HE) providers on 1 December 2023. Detailed analysis of the HESA staff record is available in the Higher Education Staff Open Data. This bulletin has been produced by Jisc in collaboration with statisticians from the Department for Education, the Office for Students, the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland. It has been released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

Students from the Chinese ethnic group had the highest entry rate into higher education in every year from 2006 to 2024.

This bulletin provides details of staff employment at UK higher education (HE) providers on 1 December 2020. Detailed analysis of the HESA staff record will be available in the Higher Education Staff Data, 2020/21 open dataset released in February 2022. From 2019/20, it is not mandatory for HE providers in England and Northern Ireland to return information about non-academic staff. Further details on coverage changes can be seen in the notes section of this release. We advise caution in interpreting this data.

Number of Higher education students in the United Kingdom at further education colleges or higher education providers by gender, level and mode of study, subject and domicile.

Snapshot img

Higher Education Market Size 2025-2029

The higher education market size is forecast to increase by USD 117.9 billion, at a CAGR of 18.9% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is experiencing significant shifts driven by advances in educational content delivery methods and the increasing prioritization of AI technology-integrated course offerings. This transformation is fueled by the growing expectation for flexible and accessible learning solutions, as well as the need to accommodate the rising cost of higher education. Institutions are increasingly adopting digital platforms and tools to enhance teaching and learning experiences, enabling students to access course materials and engage with instructors from anywhere, at any time. However, this transition poses challenges, such as ensuring data security and privacy, addressing the digital divide, and maintaining academic rigor in a technology-driven environment.
The market continues to evolve, with dynamic market activities unfolding across various sectors. Student support services, such as continuing education and financial aid, remain crucial in ensuring student success. Curriculum development and research collaboration are key areas of focus for higher education institutions, driving the need for instructor training and campus infrastructure improvements. Digital literacy and educational technology are increasingly integrated into degree programs, from bachelor's degrees to doctoral degrees, with online courses and blended learning becoming more prevalent. Digital archives and online libraries provide essential resources for students and faculty, while research funding and tuition fees shape the financial landscape.
 Cybersecurity incidents in education rose by 44% year-over-year in 2023, making data security and privacy critical concerns. Additionally, an estimated 34% of students in low-income or rural areas still lack reliable internet access, highlighting the persistent digital divide. To capitalize on these opportunities and navigate these challenges effectively, higher education institutions must remain agile and innovative, continuously adapting to the evolving needs of students and the market.

Major Market Trends & Insights

  APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 35% growth during the forecast period.
  The market is expected to grow significantly in North America as well over the forecast period.
  By the Learning Method, the Online sub-segment was valued at USD 33.59 billion in 2023
  By the End-user, the Private colleges sub-segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

  Market Opportunities: USD 294.62 billion
  Future Opportunities: USD 117.9 billion 
  CAGR : 18.9%
  APAC: Largest market in 2023

What will be the Size of the Higher Education Market during the forecast period?

Understand digital transformation trends in Higher Education Request Free Sample

The higher education market is experiencing rapid transformation, driven by the adoption of digital learning platforms, smart classroom technologies, and cloud-based education management systems. Institutions are increasingly implementing data analytics dashboards and AI-driven learning management systems to personalize student experiences and improve operational efficiency. The growing integration of automation features, predictive analytics, and compliance management tools aligns closely with the EdTech Solutions Market and smart campus market, ensuring streamlined academic processes and resource optimization.
Modern campuses are leveraging building automation and IoT in Education Market to enhance sustainability, energy efficiency, and student safety. Furthermore, virtual learning environments, VR-based simulations, and adaptive assessment tools are reshaping how institutions deliver education, enabling flexibility and scalability. Internal linking opportunities exist with markets like learning management systems, Cloud-Based Property Solutions Market, and Facility Management Software Market, which share synergies in infrastructure optimization and digital administration.
Recent analysis suggests that over 72% of higher education institutions plan to expand technology budgets for e-learning platforms by 2029, reflecting a strong focus on automation, data-driven decision-making, and student-centric solutions for competitive advantage.
Retention rates and graduation rates are essential metrics, with career services and alumni relations playing a crucial role in student engagement and post-graduation success. As of 2023, the average first-year retention rate in U.S. colleges was around 76%, while the six-year graduation rate stood at approximately 64%, highlighting the ongoing need for stronger student engagement and support systems. Personalized learning, gamified learning, and adaptiv

Experimental Statistics from the Student COVID-19 Insights Survey (SCIS). Includes information on the behaviours, plans, opinions and well-being of higher education students in England in the context of guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This study is comprised by the data collected for a wider project exploring the historical relationship between higher education and the UK economy. The project sought to provide a long-term explanation of the relationships between funding, widening access and socio-economic aspects of higher education. Three main areas were considered:
-The provision of an in-depth historical account and analysis of the numbers and extent of students and staff for the purposes of evaluating the main characteristics of UK higher education development back the 1920s.
-The provision of an in-depth historical account and evaluation of levels and structures of income and expenditure in higher education
-The interpretation of these data with reference to major socio-economic indicators.

Statistics on student support are published as Student Support for Higher Education in England and include data from England covering student loans and grants for tuition fees and maintenance.

Source agency: Business, Innovation and Skills

Designation: National Statistics

Language: English

Alternative title: Student Support for Higher Education in England

In 2022/23, the Open University, which focuses on remote learning, had approximately 140,215 students enrolled on courses, the highest in the UK during that academic year. After the Open University, University College London had the highest number of students in the UK, at 51,810, while the University of Manchester had the second-highest, at 46,860. The UK's oldest university, The University of Oxford, had approximately 27,340 students studying there.

In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 587,165 enrollments for courses involving business and management studies, making it the most popular subject group in that year. Subjects allied to medicine had 369,455 enrollments, making it the second-most popular course in that year.