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Student enrolments in higher education in the Greater West of England, 2025
This data insight describes trends in higher education (HE) student enrolments across the Greater West of England. It examines changes in total student numbers over time, including differences in domicile (UK and non-UK students), and the origins of international students.
The analysis uses Higher Education Student Statistics published by the Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA). These data record annual enrolments across UK HE providers, with detailed breakdowns by student domicile and country or region of origin.
HESA data are widely regarded as the official source for UK HE statistics. They are collected directly from universities and colleges, ensuring the data are consistent, reliable and comparable over time and across institutions.
The analysis combines enrolment figures from individual universities to give an overall regional picture of the Greater West of England, comprising Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire. This geography provides a broad regional understanding of HE activity, capturing both major urban centres and more rural areas, while still reflecting differences between institutions.
219,015
Total student enrolment in Greater West of England HE institutions, 2024/25 (non-UK: 41,230)
78.7%
Asian students at the University of Bristol, 2024/25
36,340
Students at UWE Bristol; the highest enrolments at a Greater West of England institution, 2024/25
Proportion of international students by continent at Greater West of England HE providers, 2024/25
This visualisation shows the proportion of international students by region of origin (Europe, Asia and Other) across select universities in the Greater West of England. It highlights how the composition of overseas students varies between institutions.
At most universities, students from Asia make up the largest share of international enrolments. This is especially clear at larger institutions such as the University of Bristol (78.7%) and UWE Bristol (58.8%), where Asian students account for over half of the total international students.
In contrast, smaller institutions such as Norland College and Hartpury University have a higher proportion of students from “Other” regions or Europe. Bath Spa University shows a more balanced distribution, although Asia still represents a substantial share.
Data for some smaller providers (Bristol Baptist College and Trinity College Bristol) are unavailable or suppressed and are therefore excluded from the analysis.
Total student enrolments by domicile in the Greater West of England, 2014/15-2024/25
This visualisation shows student enrolments in the Greater West of England by domicile (UK and non-UK) over time, highlighting changes in total numbers and the contribution of international students.
Total enrolments increased steadily across the period, rising from 155,675 in 2014/15 to 219,015 in 2024/25. This growth is mainly driven by UK students, who make up the majority throughout the period. Non-UK student numbers have also increased, particularly since 2019/20.
Total student enrolments by university in the Greater West of England, 2014/15-2024/25
This visualisation shows total student enrolments by university in the Greater West of England from 2014/15 to 2024/25, highlighting each institution’s contribution to regional growth.
Enrolments increase steadily across the period, with growth evident at most universities, particularly from 2019/20 onwards. Larger institutions such as the University of Bristol, UWE Bristol and the University of Bath account for the largest shares and drive much of the overall increase.
Smaller and specialist providers such as Hartpury University, Norland College and the Royal Agricultural University contribute smaller but relatively stable numbers over time.
