Number of research students in Australian universities in 2001 and 2010

The table illustrates the changes in the number of local and international research students enrolled in Australian universities between 2001 and 2010. Overall, there was a substantial rise in the total student population, driven by a marked increase in international participation.

In 2001, the total number of research students stood at 38,849. The vast majority of these were local students, who numbered 33,657, while international students accounted for only 5,192. By 2010, the total figure had climbed to 54,081, representing an overall growth of over 15,000 students during the nine-year period.

Regarding local research students, their numbers grew steadily from 33,657 in 2001 to 39,488 in 2010. In contrast, the international student cohort saw a dramatic surge, nearly tripling from 5,192 to 14,593. Consequently, while local students remained the majority in both years, their relative proportion of the total student body declined as international students became a more significant component of the research population in Australian universities by the end of the decade.