Higher education in facts and figures 2013

Our popular statistics publication presenting statistics relating to students, staff and finance for the whole of the UK higher education sector.

Headline findings from higher education in facts and figures 2013 edition include:

• In 2011–12, there were nearly 2.5 million students studying at higher education institutions in the UK. Almost a third of them were part-time students. 

• Of the students who graduated in 2011–12, half acquired a first degree, about 17% another undergraduate degree, a third were awarded a postgraduate degree, and 2.6% out of all graduates received a PhD. 

• More female undergraduates are studying languages than are studying engineering, computing, physical sciences and mathematics combined. The number of male undergraduate students in these scientific subjects is more than three times that of female students. 

• Looking at non-UK domiciled students studying in the UK, a third are from Europe, 43% from Asia, 8% from Africa, 6% from North America, 6% from the Middle East and less than 1% from both South America and Australasia. 17% of all students are non-UK students; about half of them study at postgraduate level. 

• The income to UK higher education institutions from non-EU domiciled students has more than doubled since 2004.

Statistics from academic year 2011–12 related to students at UK higher education institutions, and the income and expenditure of these institutions.