If you are from the UAE and thinking about studying in the UK, you already have a large, well-established community waiting for you. According to official data from HESA, the UK's higher education statistics body, there were 8,850 students from the UAE enrolled at UK universities in 2024/25 across 148 institutions.
This guide uses that official data to show you which universities currently have the most UAE students. Think of it as a way to see where your community already exists in the UK, not a ranking of the best universities overall.
Please note: The figures come directly from HESA and cover all UAE students enrolled in 2024/25, regardless of subject or level of study. HESA rounds all figures to the nearest 5. The data tells you where UAE students are currently studying. It does not tell you which university is the best fit for your specific course, budget, or career goals. Use it as a starting point, not a final answer.
1. UK Universities with the Most UAE Students (2024/25)
Here are the top 10 UK universities by number of enrolled UAE students in 2024/25, based on official HESA data.
|
# |
University |
UAE students (2024/25) |
City |
|
1 |
455 |
Preston |
|
|
2 |
310 |
London |
|
|
3 |
310 |
Manchester |
|
|
4 |
290 |
Cambridge/Chelmsford |
|
|
5 |
290 |
Leeds |
|
|
6 |
245 |
London |
|
|
7 |
240 |
Bath |
|
|
8 |
225 |
Manchester |
|
|
9 |
200 |
Birmingham |
|
|
10 |
195 |
Exeter |
Source: HESA Table 28, 2024/25. Figures rounded to the nearest 5 by HESA.
2. What This Data Tells You
Why is the University of Lancashire at the top?
The University of Lancashire (UCLan) ranks above King's College London, Manchester, and UCL. This is worth understanding before you use this data to make any decisions.
UCLan has had a physical presence in the UAE for many years through its international campuses and partnerships. That has built genuine familiarity and trust among UAE families over a long period of time. It also offers a wide range of professional and applied programmes at tuition fees that are competitive with other UK universities. For many UAE students, it has simply been the right fit for the right reasons.
You have a genuinely wide range of choices
With 8,850 students across 148 institutions, UAE students study at more UK universities than almost any other nationality. This is good news for you. Whether you want a large research-intensive university in a major city, a specialist institution known for a particular subject, or a smaller campus with a tight-knit community, there is almost certainly a well-established UAE student community there already.
World-class universities are well-represented
King's College London (310), UCL (245), Birmingham (200), and Exeter (195) all appear in the top 10. If you are aiming for one of the UK's most respected universities, you are not alone in that ambition. These institutions are well-known and well-regarded by employers back in the UAE, which matters when you return home after graduation.
3. Other Universities Worth Knowing About
Several universities outside the top 10 have meaningful UAE student communities and strong subject reputations that are worth knowing about:
- The University of Warwick (195 students) — highly regarded for business, economics, and engineering
- University of Nottingham (185 students) — strong across medicine, engineering, and life sciences
- Heriot-Watt University (160 students) — well-known in the UAE and strong in engineering, business, and computer science
- The University of Edinburgh (150 students) — one of the UK's oldest and most respected universities, particularly strong in medicine, law, and business
- Imperial College London (135 students) — world-leading for science, technology, engineering, and medicine
- Loughborough University (130 students) — highly regarded for engineering, sport science, and design
If your subject aligns with any of these universities, a smaller UAE student community should not put you off. The broader international student community at most UK universities is large and welcoming.
4. How to Choose the Right University for You
Here are the things that matter most when choosing a UK university as a student from the UAE.
Start with your course
The most important question is whether the university offers a strong programme in what you actually want to study. A university with a large UAE student community is a great starting point, but if the course quality is not there for your subject, it is not the right choice. Use the Complete University Guide or the Guardian University Guide to check how each university ranks for your specific subject, not just overall.
Think about where you want to live
The UK has great universities in cities of every size. London is vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunity, but it is also the most expensive place to live. Cities like Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, and Bath offer lower costs of living while still having large, international student communities and excellent universities. Preston, where UCLan is based, is a smaller city with a tight-knit international community and significantly lower living costs. Our cost of living guide for international students gives you a city-by-city breakdown to help you plan your budget.
Check your entry requirements early
Your UAE qualifications are widely accepted by UK universities, but each course has its own specific requirements. Our guide on studying in the UK from the UAE covers what is typically accepted, which English language tests you can take, and what documents you will need.
Consider community and campus life
Feeling settled in your first year makes a big difference to how well you study. Most UK universities have active Islamic societies, halal food options on or near campus, prayer facilities, and Arabic-speaking student communities. If this matters to you, it is worth checking what each university offers before you apply.
5. How to Apply
If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you will apply through UCAS, the central UK university applications platform. The main deadline for 2027 entry is 13 January 2027. Applying well before that deadline gives you the best chance of receiving an offer and enough time to get your UK Student visa sorted before your course starts.
For postgraduate courses, you apply directly to the university. Deadlines vary significantly between institutions and courses, so always check early.
Once you have an unconditional offer, your university will give you a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies), which is what you need to apply for your visa. If you are not sure what a conditional or unconditional offer means, our offer letter guide explains everything step by step.
6. How Atava Can Help
At Atava Education and Training, we have been helping students from the UAE find the right UK university since 2013. We are accredited by the British Council, English UK, and IALC, and all of our staff hold British Council UK Certified Counsellor certification.
We can help you with:
- Choosing the right university and course based on your qualifications, budget, and what you want to do after graduation
- Understanding and completing the UCAS application
- Preparing your student visa documents
- Finding the right supervisor if you are applying for a PhD or MRes
For most applications to our partner universities, our service is free to you. Get in touch, and we will give you a clear, honest answer about how we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many UAE students study in the UK?
According to HESA data for 2024/25, there were 8,850 students from the UAE enrolled at UK universities across 148 institutions.
Which UK university has the most UAE students?
The University of Lancashire had the highest number of UAE students in 2024/25 with 455, followed by King's College London and the University of Manchester (both 310), according to HESA data.
Are UAE qualifications accepted by UK universities?
Yes. UAE qualifications including the UAE High School Certificate are widely recognised by UK universities. The specific grades required will depend on the course you are applying to. Our guide to studying in the UK from the UAE covers what is typically accepted and what supporting documents you will need.
Do I need an IELTS to study in the UK from the UAE?
Most UK universities require proof of English language proficiency. The most widely accepted tests are IELTS Academic UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI. Requirements vary by university and course. From January 2026, the required English level for most UK visa routes is B2 (CEFR). Our guide to studying in the UK from the UAE covers the full details.
Can I bring my family to the UK as a UAE student?
Under current rules, most students on taught undergraduate and postgraduate courses cannot bring dependants to the UK. The exception is students on postgraduate research programmes such as a PhD. Read our MRes vs PhD guide for more information on how this works.
Is it worth studying in the UK as a UAE student in 2026?
Read our guide: Is studying in the UK still worth it in 2026? for an honest answer covering what has changed, what has not, and how to decide based on your own goals.
Data source: HESA Table 28, 2024/25. Figures rounded to nearest 5. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0