New student statistics report: pressure shifting demand and opportunity
English UK's annual statistics confirm our member centres experienced a moderate downturn in 2025, while in a challenging global environment, our national industry continues to perform comparatively well.
Centres taught 311,814 students on full-time, face-to-face courses, delivering 998,044 student weeks, a 4.8% decline in numbers and 10.9% fewer student weeks than in 2024.
As in previous years, privately-owned centres dominated, with 98% of total student numbers and 94% of student weeks. Italy remained the largest source market, while Türkiye overtook China as the third-largest provider of student weeks.
Strong foundations in a changing market
Introducing the report, our chief executive Jodie Gray wrote: "The story in this year's statistics – a 4.8% fall in student numbers and 10.9% in student weeks – will surprise few in UK ELT. Yet in a challenging global environment, the UK continues to perform comparatively well.
"We have been preparing for an uncertain world shaped by geopolitics, technological change and intensifying international competition.
"The strong foundations and adaptability sustaining us now will underpin our future."
Updated position paper and new strategy
The need for a supportive policy environment was highlighted, alongside the opportunities presented by initiatives such as the Youth Experience Scheme, improved group travel arrangements, a potential return to Erasmus+, and our role in supporting delivery of the UK Government's International Education Strategy.
English UK's new strategy to 2030 focuses on four priorities: leveraging growth opportunities, improving financial sustainability, broadening membership, and strengthening the UK ELT sector for all.
Adaptability, resilience and opportunity
Roz McGill, our market development & insights manager, commented: "Overall, the data suggests a market under pressure but still active, with patterns of demand shifting rather than disappearing. It also highlights the importance for ELT centres of remaining adaptable in their pricing, product mix and market focus."
The report points to a challenging and evolving market landscape. Declines across most source markets reflect ongoing economic and geopolitical pressures, while demand has become more concentrated in a smaller group of core markets. This has contributed to lower overall volumes and shorter stays, particularly from Europe.
But there were also areas of resilience and growth. Türkiye emerged as a standout growth market, alongside positive movement in countries such as Argentina. Long-haul markets, including the Middle East, helped sustain overall student-week volume through longer courses.
Additional insights for English UK members
English UK members have access to the full report for more insights on differences in state and private sector performance, UK regional and city-level breakdowns, source-market performance details, developments in part-time and online provision and more.
Selected national-level findings
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member centres taught 327,883 English language students, of which 313,954 were on full-time courses and 13,929 studied part-time
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student weeks dropped below the one million milestone at 998,044 full-time face -to-face student weeks
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85% of all student numbers and 86% of student weeks came from the top 20 source markets
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adults still dominated student week volume at 67%, while juniors made up 62% of all students; these patterns replicate 2024
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overall activity softened year-on-year, with full-time student numbers down 4.8% and student weeks down 10.9% on a like-for-like basis
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32% of the reporting centres recorded growth in student weeks, while 64% experienced a decline
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the trend towards shorter courses continued, as the overall average length of stay fell slightly to 3.2 weeks
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Italy remained the largest source market, Türkiye showed notable growth, and China recorded the largest decline
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