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Every year, thousands of undergraduate students from across the world come to study at UK universities. If you're tempted to join the crowd, but unsure what to study, our list of the most popular subjects for overseas students may help.

Our figures are from UCAS, the UK鈥檚 Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. They show which subjects got the most applications from EU and international students in 2024. Having a high number of applications doesn't mean a subject area is harder to get into; each UCAS applicant can apply for up to five choices. But, if you're applying for a popular subject at a top university, you'll face more competition for a place.

We also show the 'offer rate' for each subject. This tells us the percentage of applications from international students that received an offer.

10. Business Studies

Number of international applications: 18,700 (26% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 68%

Business-related degrees appear three times in our list of the most popular subjects. The high number of international applications shows the quality of UK higher education and its status as a global leader.

Business Studies covers all aspects of business 鈥� economics, accounting, marketing and management. If you take a degree in Business Studies, you will gain a wealth of skills that apply to most industries and sectors. From business organisation to human resource management, you鈥檒l learn how to make a workplace function well.

9. Medicine

Number of international applications: 18,950 (21%)
% receiving an offer: 14%

International applicants choose to study Medicine in the UK for many reasons. All Medicine degrees must meet the requirements of the UK's General Medical Council. This ensures all medical students get a high-quality education. Many Medicine degrees let you see patients early on, helping you link theory to real-life medical practice. The UK also offers prestigious medical schools and world-class research.

However, Medicine is a difficult degree to get into. UCAS applicants can only apply to four medical schools 鈥� but Medicine gets over 88,000 applications in total. Of the applications from international students, only 14% will get an offer.

So, if you apply to Medicine, make sure you consider what you鈥檒l do if you don鈥檛 get an offer. That way you can plan for an alternate route into the subject as a graduate, or a related career.

8. Business and Management

Number of international applications: 19,115 (31% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 74%

If you can鈥檛 choose between Business Studies or Management Studies, a general Business degree will give you an understanding of both. You鈥檒l learn about the environment in which a business operates, as well as how it functions as an organisation.

You can also study business alongside another subject. Related areas include Economics, Information Systems, Music, Fashion, and International Studies.

7. Politics

Number of international applications: 19,385 (29% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 64%

Politics is a subject that applies no matter where in the world you live. Its relevance to all areas of life, from business to communities, may explain why it鈥檚 a popular choice as a degree subject.

Studying in the UK immerses you in a rich political scene. As well as political parties and legislative structures, you'll find think tanks and NGOs. UK universities offer particular expertise in political research. Many unis also allow you to tailor your degree to your interests. A Politics degree enables you to explore what works 鈥� and what doesn鈥檛 鈥� in the way that states or communities are run.

6. Psychology

Number of international applications: 19,820 (16% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 66%

Psychology is a popular degree choice for UK students. It also gets many applications from international students.

Psychology is the study of how humans think and behave. It鈥檚 a fascinating subject because you will explore the workings of the mind: what drives our thoughts and emotions, and what disrupts them. You will also learn how to conduct research. This degree will help you develop valuable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving and data handling. Psychology can be useful in a range of careers. You could become a clinical psychologist, a therapist, or use your skills as a digital analyst.

5. Design Studies

Number of international applications: 22,855 (24% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 50%

As Apple founder Steve Jobs said, 鈥淒esign is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.鈥� If you enjoy problem-solving in a creative form, then you could consider design. Disciplines range from Graphic Design to Industrial Design, or Fashion and Textiles. You鈥檒l learn applied skills in your field and get your finger on the pulse of new developments. You will also develop skills in computer-aided design and gain experience of working to client briefs. 

4. Management Studies

Number of international applications: 33,240 (45% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 58%

The most popular business subject for international students is Management Studies.

Management Studies focuses on the running of a company, from its strategy to its organisation. You will learn about organisational behaviour, strategic decision-making, and practical business functions. Learning about finance, marketing, and human resources can help you to improve business efficiency. The skills you learn will be applicable to any sector, giving you great flexibility when it comes to finding your future career.

3. Computer Science

Number of international applications: 35,335 (28% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 58%

Computer Science will teach you skills that are in high demand. The potential for high earnings may help explain the subject鈥檚 popularity for international students. You could develop computing architecture, software and systems. Or create applications in virtual reality, e-commerce or robotics. The UK boasts well regarded computer scientists and top-ranking universities in this subject. Graduate prospects are likely to be high, as most areas of life now rely on computer systems in some way.

2. Law

Number of international applications: 37,025 (23% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 68%

English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish Law 鈥� each of the UK鈥檚 jurisdictions has its own legal system. For international students, the interest may lie in British common law, which underpins over a third of the world鈥檚 legal systems. Also English commercial law, which often governs international contracts.

A Law degree will give you skills in legal research and practice. You will develop your abilities in analytical thinking, oral communication, negotiation and teamworking. Good English language skills will be essential to your success if you study a Law degree. Studying Law will give you a great foundation for a career in diverse fields, from business to government, community roles, and more.

1. Economics

Number of international applications: 37,590 (36% of the total)
% receiving an offer: 52%

Since Adam Smith鈥檚 Wealth of Nations onwards, theories of economic growth and development have shaped societies across the world. Economics combines skills in mathematics with a range of topics. You could study Economics and Finance; Politics, Philosophy and Economics; or Economics and Sustainable Development.

You'll learn about aspects such as inflation, productivity, budgeting, and market trends. The knowledge you gain can relate to all areas of life. It is useful whether you work in government or global commerce, education or finance. This may explain why Economics is such a popular degree choice for international students.