UCAS data shows the UK has hit an all-time high in undergraduate applications for 2026, driven largely by a sharp rise in international interest. India has become the second-biggest source of overseas undergraduate applicants, trailing only China.
This year, 695,740 students applied for undergraduate places through UCAS, marking a 4.6% increase from 665,070 applications last year. International applications climbed even faster, growing 7.1% year-on-year to reach a record 148,350, outpacing the growth seen among UK-based applicants.
International Demand Hits New Peak
Overseas undergraduate applications touched a new record of 148,350 in 2026, up from 138,460 the previous year, a jump of 9,890 additional international applicants in just one admissions cycle.
This growth is part of a longer trend rather than a one-off spike. International applications have risen steadily from 120,080 in 2017, climbing consistently over the past ten years despite occasional dips, before reaching this year’s record figure.
