US applications for UK undergraduate study hit 20-year high as Trump takes office

UCAS admission data has shown that over 6,500 US applications were submitted this year to study undergraduate courses at UK universities in the 2025-26 academic year.

Application rates to the UK have been growing in recent years, with this year’s total representing a 12% increase from 2024 and more than double the amount of applications in 2017.

Research by the British Council had suggested that the UK was likely to benefit from increased admissions from the US as a result of President Trump’s re-election.

This follows a similar trend during Trump’s first term, which saw decreasing numbers of international admissions to US universities.

The rising number of Americans deciding to pursue higher education abroad has been attributed to young voters being disillusioned with the state of US politics

Between 2017 and 2021, Trump’s administration tightened visa issuance, seeking to restrict the number of visas that could be issued to specific countries. It also attempted to remove international students from online courses during the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the report, many prospective students have consequently noted a restrictive attitude to international study within the US, which has deterred them from applying there and led them to opt for UK study instead.

The rising number of Americans deciding to pursue higher education abroad has been attributed to young voters being disillusioned with the state of US politics.

Within the constituency of young and now-dissatisfied voters, the defeated Democratic nominee for President, Kamala Harris, was overwhelmingly preferred.

It’s a testament to the quality of UK universities that so many people want to study here

Maddalaine Ansell, Director of Education at the British Council

Additionally, the Director of Education at the British Council, Maddalaine Ansell, has suggested that there are a myriad of other factors stimulating this increase in US admissions.

“It’s a testament to the quality of UK universities that so many people want to study here,” she remarked, suggesting that Britain’s three-year degrees with lower cost tuition and post-study opportunities made for tantalising prospects.

The surge in US applications to UK higher education institutions may provide a much-needed financial uplift, helping to address the projected £3.4 billion drop in income which the Office for Students has forecast will face these institutions in 2025-26.