Archive · 20 Jul 2026
UK Sees Record High in University Applications
More students than ever before have applied to universities in the UK.
This year, 695,740 students applied, which is a lot more than last year.
Many of these students come from other countries, especially India and China.
India is actually the second-highest country sending students to the UK after China.
This is great news for UK universities because it shows that lots of people want to study there.
The number of students from other countries has been growing for a long time, and this year it reached a new high.
It's like a big school with more kids signing up to join every year!
UK universities received a record 695,740 undergraduate applications in 2026, a 4.6% increase from the previous year.
International applications surged by 7.1%, reaching 148,350, the highest ever recorded.
India is the second-largest source of overseas undergraduate applicants, following China.
The number of international applicants has been steadily increasing since 2017, with a notable rise this year.
This growth in applications reflects a long-term upward trend in international interest in UK universities.
- Who
- UK universities and international students, particularly from India and China
- What
- Record high in undergraduate applications
- When
- 2026
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Why
- Increased interest from both domestic and international students, with notable growth from Indian applicants
- Total Applications
- 695,740
- Increase from Previous Year
- 4.6%
- International Applications
- 148,350
- International Applicants Increase
- 7.1%
- Top International Applicants
- China and India
- Indian Applicants Rank
- Second
- Applications in 2017
- 120,080