Just over one in ten Warwick students from West Midlands as data shows top universities admit fewer local students

Only 13.1% of students enrolling at Warwick in the 2023/24 academic year came from the West Midlands, according to Times Higher Education’s published figures. 

This trend is reflected nationally too, where despite expanding intakes, top UK universities are increasingly enrolling students from outside their regions. While the number of students being admitted to top universities is increasing, a growing proportion are from outside local areas.  

At 22 universities, including Warwick, international undergraduates now outnumber those from the local surrounding region the university is situated in. 

Such statistics have prompted a renewed debate over access and regional equity in higher education. Critics argue that this trend deepens regional inequality and therefore weakens the relationship between universities and their local communities.   

In areas such as the North-East, which has the lowest A-Level attainment and university progression rates in the UK, Durham University had only 8.8% of their undergraduates come from the region in 2023-24

In areas such as the North-East, which has the lowest A-Level attainment and university progression rates in the UK, Durham University had only 8.8% of their undergraduates come from the region in 2023-24. 

This has led some to question whether universities are contributing enough to serve the communities they’re based in, especially as they increase their overall student populations.   

Though local enrolment is down, the rise in international recruitment is viewed as a positive by some. International students bring significant financial and intellectual contributions to universities in the UK, particularly in the periods of tight university budgets. The boosted international enrolment is seen by some as an indicator of universities’ commitments to diversity and worldwide reach.  

Some institutions are beginning to respond. Durham University, for example, has launched new regional initiatives and admissions plans aimed at improving local enrolment. A spokesperson for the university stated: “We acknowledge that there is work still to be done and remain committed to making further progress”. The impact of these strategies is yet to be seen.  

As universities grow and competition for places intensifies, the question of who gets to access them – and from where – is likely to remain a key point of contention. For Warwick in particular, it raises important questions about balancing global ambition with regional responsibility.