Top 10 universities with the highest percentage of international students 2024
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| International student rank 2024 | University | Country/region | Percentage of international students |
| 1 | Macau University of Science and Technology | Macao | 91.6% |
| 2 | Near East University | Northern Cyprus | 86.4% |
| 3 | Constructor University | Germany | 83.2% |
| 4 | Eastern Mediterranean University | Northern Cyprus | 74.8% |
| 5 | American University of Sharjah | United Arab Emirates | 73.7% |
| 6 | London School of Economics and Political Science | United Kingdom | 71.8% |
| 7 | City University of Hong Kong | Hong Kong | 67.2% |
| 8 | Università della Svizzera italiana | Switzerland | 66.8% |
| 9 | RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences | Ireland | 66.6% |
| 10 | University of Bedfordshire | United Kingdom | 64.2% |
The higher education world is getting smaller as more and more people choose to study abroad. Students want universities to provide an international experience, the opportunity to study alongside people from all over the world, and a truly global community in which to study.
As part of the data collected for the World University Rankings 2024, Times Higher Education asks all institutions to provide figures on their percentage of international students. Using this data, THE has compiled a list of the top 200 universities with the highest percentage of international students.
In this table, and across our rankings, international students are defined as those who are studying in a different country to the country or region they usually live in.
Macau University of Science and Technology is in first place, with nearly 92 per cent international students, while Near East University takes second place.
Countries represented in the top 20 include the UAE, UK, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland and Australia.
Twenty universities from London feature in the top 200, making it one of the most represented cities in the ranking. In fact, the UK as a whole was the most represented country, with 64 universities in the top 200, compared with 18 from the US and 16 in Australia.
The top five universities with the highest percentage of international students 2024
Scroll down to see the top 200.
1. Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao
Macau University of Science and Technology is a relatively young university, having been established in 2000.
The university offers courses in areas that include social sciences, sciences, law, management, business, medicine, pharmacy, tourism, art, communication and languages.
To reflect its international student cohort, the university teaches in English, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish.
The institution has established partnerships with more than 200 institutions in Europe, America, Australia, Mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong to facilitate student and staff exchange programmes.
2. Near East University, Northern Cyprus
Near East University is the largest university in Northern Cyprus. It offers undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in areas including architecture, dentistry, fine arts, engineering, veterinary science, law, maritime studies and performing arts.
The university’s international student office assists with applications and organises student events on campus.
Students from more than 100 nationalities are enrolled at the university.
3. Constructor University, Germany
Constructor University is located in Bremen, Germany.
Most of its courses are taught in English.
Students come from more than 110 countries, including India, Nepal, the US, Albania, Pakistan, Morocco and China. The university also has more than 120 partnerships with other institutions around the world.
Students are able to choose their own programme of study from the course catalogue or opt for a preselected study track.
4. Eastern Mediterranean University, Northern Cyprus
Eastern Mediterranean University is the second university from Northern Cyprus to feature in the top five.
The main languages of instruction at the university are Turkish and English.
The institution organises student exchange programmes in 13 countries including the US, Canada, Italy, Austria, South Korea and China.
International students are able to apply for 50 per cent and 25 per cent scholarships.
5. American University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
The American University of Sharjah is a relatively small institution with just over 5,000 students, and 74 per cent of this student body is international. Some 99 countries are represented on campus, and some of the main home countries of these students are Egypt, Jordan and India.
English is the main teaching language.
The university is a member of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities, an organisation that delivers higher education based on the American liberal arts model outside the US.
Every year the university’s international studies department organises the annual Model United Nations high school and university conference.
The top 200 universities for international students 2024
Click each institution to view its full World University Rankings 2024 profile
Editor’s note: As part of our THE statement on Ukraine published on 2 March 2022, Russian universities have been given less prominence in our rankings. Russian universities that met the criteria for this ranking are not displayed in the table above.
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