Study abroad to build skills and knowledge, prepare to solve the world’s toughest challenges, and compete in the 21st century workforce.

As a future global leader, you need to feel at home in a fast-changing world. By studying abroad, you will experience new perspectives, learn how to navigate different cultures, work with diverse peers, and communicate in other languages. Whether you are a future innovator, entrepreneur, engineer, scientist, doctor, journalist, teacher or diplomat, these are the skills that will prepare you to solve the world’s toughest challenges, make you more competitive in the job market, and transform you into a responsible, engaged citizen.

An international experience should be part of your education, whatever your goals, socioeconomic status, or field of study. Every year, more than over 5 million international students study, intern, or volunteer abroad for academic credit in programs ranging from two weeks to a full academic year. International educational experiences that you undertake with thoughtfulness and purpose are valuable, regardless of duration or format. International students or exchange students, also known as foreign students, are students who undertake all or part of their secondary or tertiary education in a country other than their own.

In 2021, there were over 6.39 million international students, up from 5.12 million in 2016. The most popular destinations were the United States (with 833,204 international students), the United Kingdom (600,589 students), and Australia (378,439 students) which together receive 28.37% of international students.

In 2023, there were around 6.4 million international students studying abroad worldwide. This is the same number as in 2022.

Here are some other statistics about international students:

Top destinations: The top destinations for international students are the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany. In 2023, the "big four" markets of the US, UK, Australia, and Canada accounted for almost 44% of all international students.

Countries of origin: The majority of international students come from middle-income countries. In 2021, the top countries of origin were China, India, Vietnam, Germany, Uzbekistan, France, and the United States.

OECD countries: OECD countries receive more international students than they send abroad.

Student wellbeing service: USA universities have a range of wellbeing services in place to support their students. This includes helplines available 24 hours a day, one-to-one sessions with trained counsellors and peer-to-peer support services.

G20 countries: 83% of international students are enrolled in G20 countries.

UK universities: In 2022/23, there were 758,855 overseas students studying at UK universities, which was 26% of the total student population.