New HEPI, Kaplan and London Economics Report ‘The benefits and costs of international higher education students to the UK economy’

International students are not just vital to universities – they are a major economic asset for the UK. The new report reveals that every 10 international students generate around £1 million in net economic benefit, underlining the significant contribution they make to communities, jobs and economic growth across the country.

Published by HEPI and Kaplan International Pathways, and produced by London Economics, the new analysis finds that the 404,500 international students who began higher education in the UK in 2024/25 are expected to generate a net economic benefit of £40.4 billion over the course of their studies.

With benefits outweighing costs by almost ten to one, the report estimates that international students support more than 287,000 full-time equivalent jobs and contribute an average of £62 million to every parliamentary constituency. Using newly available data on where students live during term time, the report also provides the most detailed picture yet of how these benefits are distributed across the UK.

The report arrives at a pivotal moment, as the UK faces growing international competition for students while domestic debate over immigration policy intensifies. It warns that the recent decline in international student numbers has already reduced the UK’s economic gains by an estimated £2.9 billion for a single cohort alone, raising important questions about the trade-offs involved in future policy decisions.

With detailed national and constituency-level analysis, alongside an interactive dashboard mapping the constituency-level impact of international students, the report provides fresh evidence to inform one of the most important debates in higher education policy today. Click here to access the press release, download the full report and the summary report and discover what international students contribute to your local area.