Student enrolments in Business & Management studies 2020/21- our latest report

Our latest analysis of student enrolments in the UK reveals strong growth in demand for Business & Management Studies among both domestic and international students. Using newly released data from HESA, we found that enrolments for Business & Management courses rose by 14% between the academic years 2019/20 to 2020/21, significantly ahead of the average growth of 8% across all subjects. In the report, we provide analyses primarily on enrolments in Business & Management Studies, often alongside figures across all subjects for comparison, and including breakdowns by mode of study, broad domicile, and country of origin.

Enrolments in Business & Management Studies grew for all three broad student domiciles, with growth amongst UK students being strongest (+16%). Enrolments from the EU increased by 7% since 2019/20 as the effects of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU are yet to be reflected in the data, for reasons discussed in the report.

At postgraduate level, the growth in business school enrolments was particularly strong between 2019/20 and 2020/21, increasing by 25% for UK students and 18% for non-EU students, compared to growth of 17% and 15%, respectively, for postgraduate enrolments across all subjects.

Business schools continue to account for a sizeable share of enrolments across UK higher education, accounting for 1 in 6 of all UK university enrolments in 2020/21. In the case of international students, business schools account for 1 in 5 of all enrolments of EU students and 1 in 3 of all enrolments of non-EU students.

Our analysis of enrolments in the UK by students’ region and country of origin reveals a number of interesting findings. Analysis of Business & Management enrolments by level of study and country of origin reveals interesting variations in international students’ mode of study by their country of origin. For example, while 95% of Business & Management students from Romania study at undergraduate level, undergraduate students only account for 15% of students coming from Nigeria.

Aside from identifying the top ten countries which account for the highest numbers of international students enrolled in the UK, we also include top ten tables for each individual region, allowing for more nuanced analysis. The regions Africa and Asia, for example, each exhibit interesting trends in terms of enrolments from specific countries, which are explored in the report. Charts are also displayed at the regional level to give an indication of each country’s market share within the region.

The contents of this report are likely to be of value to those involved in university international recruitment strategies.

To view the full report, click here.