Postgraduate Research Pulse Update as of Apr 2024

Our unique Pulse trackers and Share of Search data provide insights on thousands of prospective international students interested in UK PhD opportunities. As of Apr 2024, we’re seeing that:

• The drop in positive sentiment that we saw in February has levelled off for all audiences, though domestic audiences remain significantly less optimistic than international audiences.
• Unlike PGT, International Share of Search for the UK is noticeably up on Q1 2023. The non- EU audience in particular are approaching the recent high point we saw in Autumn 2023.
• The strong growth we saw in February for Computer Science has continued and all five of the fastest growing specialisms come from that discipline area, with Cyber Security still leading.
• Our spotlight this month investigates shifting demographics for domestic audiences and, like PGT, finds a possible correlation with the cost of living crisis.