The University of Cambridge has seen a slight fall in student numbers for the 2023/24 academic year, as figures reveal the first nationwide drop in UK university enrolments since 2013.
According to newly released data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), enrolments at Cambridge declined from 22,975 last year to 22,715 – a loss of 260 students. The fall included both undergraduates (now totalling 13,570) and postgraduates (9,145).
Nationally, UK university enrolments have dipped to around 2.9 million students. While undergraduate numbers held steady, a sharp drop in postgraduate enrolments—down by over 35,000—contributed significantly to the overall decline.
EU Student Numbers Nearly Halved Since Brexit
One of the most dramatic shifts has come from a steep fall in European Union student enrolments. Since Brexit, numbers have halved, from nearly 148,000 in 2019/20 to just 75,500 last year. Cambridge has felt the impact keenly, with a 52% drop in EU undergraduate acceptances.
Education unions and university leaders are sounding the alarm. Jo Grady, general secretary of the University and College Union (UCU), called the figures “the canary in the coal mine,” warning of a broader crisis in international student numbers. She urged the government to reverse visa restrictions and offer emergency funding to stabilise the sector.
As Cambridge and other institutions navigate these pressures, the question remains whether current policy can support a higher education sector under strain.
