UK sees rise in international enrolments in research courses, warns of tougher student visa rules
The UK Home Office has said it will “won’t hesitate to go further still if there is clear evidence of abuse” after new data showed a sharp rise in international enrolments on Master of Research (MRes) courses, according to a report by Times Higher Education. As per the official figures, non-UK-domiciled students on these programmes rose from 2,485 in 2023-24 to 6,085 in 2024-25, a 135% increase, according to THE report. The rise followed a 2024 ban that stopped most international students from bringing family members, while exempting postgraduate research courses.
According to THE report, data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency highlights that the increase came after several universities launched MRes programmes for the first time. In earlier years, enrolment numbers had remained steady.
Surge concentrated in few universities
The rise was led by a small group of institutions. The University of Greater Manchester increased its intake from 50 to 915 students in one year. The University of Gloucestershire went from five to 730. The University of Wolverhampton rose from five to 770, while the University of Lancashire increased from 140 to 850.
“All overseas enrolments have been carefully managed to ensure strict immigration compliance alongside academic integrity. The university saw a planned increase in international recruitment as part of its ambitious global strategy,” said Andrew Bird, pro vice-chancellor for recruitment, marketing and admissions at the University of Wolverhampton.
New courses, rising fees
According to THE report, the University of Hertfordshire launched new MRes programmes in 2025-26 and enrolled 581 international students in the first year. These include courses in digital management and artificial intelligence in business. The total fee for the digital management course is £23,000 for international students, with 70% payable in the first year.
A spokesperson for the University of Hertfordshire told THE that the courses are “academically rigorous, closely supervised and designed to prepare graduates for careers in commercial research and consultancy”. The spokesperson added that these students represent 3 per cent of the university’s international student population and said the institution remains committed to responsible recruitment and academic standards.
York St John University also recorded growth, increasing from one MRes student in 2023-24 to 387 in 2025-26. The minimum entry requirement for its business MRes course is a 2:2 honours degree in a related subject. The international fee is £11,800.
According to THE report, data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency highlights that the increase came after several universities launched MRes programmes for the first time. In earlier years, enrolment numbers had remained steady.
Surge concentrated in few universities
The rise was led by a small group of institutions. The University of Greater Manchester increased its intake from 50 to 915 students in one year. The University of Gloucestershire went from five to 730. The University of Wolverhampton rose from five to 770, while the University of Lancashire increased from 140 to 850.
“All overseas enrolments have been carefully managed to ensure strict immigration compliance alongside academic integrity. The university saw a planned increase in international recruitment as part of its ambitious global strategy,” said Andrew Bird, pro vice-chancellor for recruitment, marketing and admissions at the University of Wolverhampton.
New courses, rising fees
According to THE report, the University of Hertfordshire launched new MRes programmes in 2025-26 and enrolled 581 international students in the first year. These include courses in digital management and artificial intelligence in business. The total fee for the digital management course is £23,000 for international students, with 70% payable in the first year.
A spokesperson for the University of Hertfordshire told THE that the courses are “academically rigorous, closely supervised and designed to prepare graduates for careers in commercial research and consultancy”. The spokesperson added that these students represent 3 per cent of the university’s international student population and said the institution remains committed to responsible recruitment and academic standards.
York St John University also recorded growth, increasing from one MRes student in 2023-24 to 387 in 2025-26. The minimum entry requirement for its business MRes course is a 2:2 honours degree in a related subject. The international fee is £11,800.
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