Top 8 UK Universities with the Most Diverse International Student Body

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5 min read

As an international student, changing daily routine, college or let's say a country, everything can be overwhelming yet exciting sometimes. But doesn't it feel good when you find students riding the same boat? You do take a sigh of relief, isn’t it?

The international student body plays a crucial part in every international student's life. From finding flexible student accommodation to societies, student bodies can help you out in everything. We already know that the United Kingdom has been at the top of the list for academics, culture and lifestyle. As the world is rapidly evolving, so do the universities in the UK. They are building a student community from various cultures and geographical backgrounds.

To minimize your research work, we have put together a list of top universities with a diverse international student body. Let’s find out which university has the most diverse student body in the UK!

A historic stone building with tall arched windows and a tower, surrounded by a courtyard with green grass and shrubs. The sky is partly cloudy. Best place for international student.

University of Oxford

Isn’t it obvious that the University of Oxford remains on the top for many things in the UK? From student housing to the international student body, the list never ends when it comes to the University of Oxford.

Being one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK, every year thousands of international students apply here. Despite low acceptance rates, thousands of students get shortlisted or waitlisted every semester. At present, the student body of this university consists of over 26,000 students, including graduate and postgraduate students.

Neoclassical building with a large dome and columns, surrounded by greenery under a blue sky with clouds. Best place for international student.

University College London (UCL)

Spanning across the central location of the United Kingdom, this university is in London. Offering great academics, long-term and short-term student accommodation and a unique lifestyle, UCL stands out as the most diverse university.

The university’s student body has over 40% international students from over 150 countries. They put a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary studies and research in diverse areas. According to UCL Annual Review 2023, UCL has over 51,058 international students.

A historic building with a tall clock tower and red tiled roofs, surrounded by trees and a paved courtyard. Best place for international student.

University of Manchester

Admiring international spirits and offering the best, the University of Manchester is the next best on the list. As one of the biggest universities, they aim to bring out the best with respect to almost everything.

You can expect to find diverse events, specially designed for international students to make them feel at home. With over 11,000 international students, the student body fosters students from over 160 countries. Plus, you can also get help with respect to visas, student rooms and more.

A historical, Gothic-style building with multiple spires and stone architecture, surrounded by trees under a cloudy sky. Best place for international student.

University of Edinburgh

Sitting in Scotland’s capital, the University of Edinburgh is responsible for having the best student community in the UK. With over 44% of the international student population, they aim to offer greatness to their students.

Over the years, this university has earned a robust reputation for its education, cross-cultural understanding and student community. You can expect to find orientation programs, peer support, language assistance and everything else a student requires. In addition, student housing also has a student body to help out with student apartments and other related issues.

Historic building with Gothic architecture and large windows, adjacent to a manicured green lawn and a statue under a cloudy sky. Best place for international student.

University of Cambridge

Similar to the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge is also an old institute in the UK. With a longstanding culture of internationalism, around 40% of students come from outside the UK.

Simply put, education, student accommodation and lifestyle are the magnet for international students. You can expect to find a wide range of courses in law, arts, business, medicine and more. They also offer language support, visa advice, cultural programs and other support to make student life thrive.

A historic building with a red brick facade and intricate architecture stands against a clear sky, accompanied by a large statue on a stone pedestal in the foreground. Best place for international student.

King’s College London

Famous for its international appeal, KCL is another prestigious university in the UK. Offering a wide range of courses, they attract many international students hailing from different cultural backgrounds every year. Currently, KCL’s student body has more than 33,000 international students which constitute around 40%.

They are committed to offering great things to students through research initiatives, global collaboration and partnerships. Moreover, international students benefit from cultural experiences through on-campus student housing.

A modern brick building with large windows, identified as the University of Warwick University House, surrounded by greenery and a paved courtyard. Best place for international student.

University of Warwick

Situated in Coventry, the University of Warwick is also a major university in the United Kingdom. According to the Complete University Guide 2025, this university stands at the 10th rank for its education.

Renowned for its courses in business, economics, and engineering, you can explore a variety of courses. As for the student body, there are over 30% international students from over 150 countries.

A historic stone building with ornate arches and a tall spire, with cars parked in front, set against a cloudy blue sky. Best place for international student.

University of Glasgow

The last on the list we have is the world-famous University of Glasgow. Located in Scotland, the University of Glasgow also has a diverse student body with over 30% international student population. They offer courses particularly in engineering, medicine as well as humanities.

With a rich culture and inclusive student community, every international student feels safe here. Plus, the student body is quite active with student accommodation, cultural programs, cross-culture orientation and more.

To sum up, we already know the United Kingdom is home to many renowned universities. However, with its growing appeal, more and more international students are coming forward to be a part of UK Universities. These universities focus on offering a holistic experience with their education, student housing, cultural programs and more.

So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself enrolled in the next semester to be a part of the diverse international body in UK universities!