The economic benefits of international students to the UK economy are well known, but we don’t often measure the benefits of the goodwill these students generate towards the UK around the world. A new report has found that most international students who study in the UK become supporters of the UK for life. As many of those students will progress from graduates to influential leaders back home, these are important relationships for the UK to maintain. Reesha Alvi looks at the report’s findings:
More international students equal more fans of the UK, more future leaders and influencers keen to engage with the UK, more alumni across the globe with long-lasting emotional and professional ties, more favourable views of the UK and greater trust in its institutions and people.
That is what our Alumni UK survey of more than 3,000 alumni from 123 countries has found, but even more staggering is that UK higher education continues to influence graduates some 25 years later.
Our report found that over three-quarters (78 per cent) of students who graduated from UK higher education institutions more than 25 years ago recommended a UK education in the past 12 months, while 87.8 per cent had recommended the UK as a travel destination in the same period.
Over the past decade, 2.5 million international students have graduated from the UK, and there has been a 43 per cent increase in students studying for UK qualifications outside the UK in the last five years (HESA, 2024a). So, the implications for continued goodwill towards the UK are huge.
More than 70,000 UK graduates from across the world have joined the British Council network ‘Alumni UK’ that was launched in 2022. We are running a longitudinal Alumni UK study with members of this network to understand why a UK degree matters, its long-term benefits and how Alumni UK is helping create a global network that supports lifelong connections, collaboration and learning.
Key facts
Of the 3,094 alumni from 123 countries surveyed this year, 95.8 per cent rated their UK experience positively, at least six out of ten. Over 96 per cent of respondents rated the UK as having world-leading universities.
More than 84.5 per cent of the alumni said they had recommended a UK education in the past 12 months - even among those who graduated more than 25 years ago, 78.4 per cent of them made the recommendation in the last year. Remembering and advocating for the UK study experience a quarter of a century later shows the value alumni attach to their UK education.
We found ratings on many aspects, including UK education, skills learned, and the UK’s place in the world, were almost identical in both years of this longitudinal study, emphasising the validity of the findings.
Beyond the degree: The transformative impact of a UK education
Students from all over the world come to the UK in search of academic advancement, but they leave with benefits that extend far beyond their studies.
One student described their classroom experience as a 50:50 mix of British and international peers, creating an environment where cultural exchange wasn’t just an occasional feature, it was the norm. Another reported becoming ‘open-minded’ because of their UK education. This exposure prepares students not only for academic success but also for integration into global workplaces.
"UK education…it's extensively internationally culture... when I came back to Egypt and resumed working…..I realised that the same principles can be repeated because even people here or colleagues working at the hospital, they might have…. different backgrounds, different levels of education, different cultures and values, different age groups, so I began to make more effort to communicate better with this group."
A formal mentorship programme was recalled as the highlight by another, where they were paired with an ex-military intelligence officer, a connection that, while unexpected, became a lifelong source of guidance and professional insight. These relationships extend beyond graduation and often open doors to new opportunities.
"Thanks to this mentorship programme, I was able to gather the best feedback to my studies [and] my research…he still helps me, he sees the future in me."
Historically, qualifications from UK universities have been highly valued, and alumni report that their degrees give them a competitive edge within the global labour market. Respondents rated the value of their UK education and its application in their current work highly. Sixty per cent are currently in a job that they wanted or are en route to being there.
Perceptions that a UK degree helps graduates find work quickly are strong, with 77.8 per cent reporting they secured a new job within six months and 88.2 per cent reported winning a new role within a year.
We asked respondents about various skills such as self-confidence, critical thinking, communication, leadership, and whether these skills have been developed as part of their UK degree, and how important they think these skills are for their career. We found that there is a very strong relationship between skills developed and how important they are perceived for the career of the respondents.
"For critical thinking I think it goes without saying that all the subjects in the UK educational system, in my master's degree required us to be critical in addressing a topic given by the lecture. So, we read a lot, a lot of journals, books, we discuss a lot, and we gain many perspectives from other students. So that really helps in critical thinking."
One student described how the skills in collaboration and teamwork developed during their study in the UK are now helping in their career, giving them the confidence to connect with institutions globally to form new partnerships and deliver projects.
The study found strong perceptions about the UK as not only a place of learning but also as one with a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging environment. Ratings for the UK’s arts and cultural institutions were also high. Together, these offer a holistic experience, making the UK an appealing study destination.
From developing cross-cultural fluency and analytical thinking to forming relationships that span continents, the impact of a UK education is expansive and deeply personal. These are not just degrees; they are turning points in the lives of those who experience them.
A global network
UK education provides many opportunities for students to build their social capital and develop meaningful personal and professional connections. Our study shows that over 75 per cent contacted or met someone from their UK study experience in the past year, showing the enduring nature of these connections. We are playing a part in helping UK alumni grow their worldwide professional network, continue learning, and share experience and expertise with others through Alumni UK. If you are an international UK graduate, we invite you to join our Alumni UK community.
"Alumni UK gave me a platform to scale my impact beyond what I could have achieved alone. It brought visibility, opened doors to funding and partnerships, and connected me with passionate professionals from across the world."