Postgraduate Research UK Update as of October 2025

Our unique Pulse trackers and Share of Search data provide insights on thousands of prospective students interested in UK PhD opportunities. As of October 2025, we’re seeing that:

• International interest for UK PhD study remains strong from both EU and non-EU  audiences, despite a subtle fall from August to September for non-EU audiences.
  
  
• Growth from the top 15 audiences is varied, with interest predominantly up from across Asia and down from North America and Europe. The exceptions are Spain and Italy: interest here is strong, but this month’s substantial year-on-year rise is actually relative to a brief drop at this point in 2024.
  
  
• UK Continuers are now focussed on entry Autumn 2026, while Returners and Internationals remain most interested in Spring 2026.
  
  
• Our Spotlight this month takes a look at which international audiences intend to take up post-study work upon graduating from a Masters. We see that Asian audiences are more committed to this route than some of their counterparts. However, for most people in most audiences, staying to work after graduation is a ‘maybe’ not a ‘definitely’. Mark Bennett - VP Research & Insight (Keystone Education Group)further explores the possible impact of shortening the UK Graduate Route on the Keystone blog.