Nisreen Karsou, 26, a Palestinian British Council scholar from the West Bank, had a choice of UK and US scholarships, but chose University College London because she believed Britain would offer her a wider and richer experience.

"I chose Britain because its culture is more interesting," she said.

Nisreen Karsou chose to attend UCL [UCL photo]

"The universities also have good reputations and I'm very happy with my experience so far."

For Asuka, 28, an art design student from Tokyo, Japan, the choice was based on the UK's many art galleries and museums.

"I think the museums and galleries are wonderful, because most of them are free and close late - unlike Japanese museums that close early and are expensive for students."

Universities say the multicultural society the UK offers is a major attraction for overseas students.

"In my experience, particularly in the past couple of years, international students have been quite worried about safety and whether they will be comfortable studying overseas," said Susannah Poole, the international marketing manager for London's Westminster University.

"The multicultural society in the UK helps students to feel fully integrated. It is also the reason why more people are choosing to study in the country as opposed to the US or Australia."

Ms Poole said the more relaxed part-time working regulations and the relative ease in which good students could now obtain a visa, compared to the US, has made students feel they will be more welcome in Britain.

Individual strengths

Recent figures released by the admissions service, Ucas, showed an increase of more than 10% in overseas applications this year - a national trend that has seen some universities reporting even higher increases.

London's Westminster University reports a 28% rise and says it expects that figure to grow in the coming year. Oxford Brookes university records 30% more foreign students than it did last year.

Universities believe their individual strengths are also contributing factors in influencing students' choices.

After the students return to their home countries they hopefully remain friends for life, both with the institution and the UK Susannah Poole, Westminster University

For Oxford Brookes, that strength lies in its modular degree programmes and the city of Oxford itself.

"We pioneered the modular degree course in the 1970s," said Dr Sue Piggott, the university's head of student recruitment.

"We now have one of the largest, most flexible degree course programmes in the country with a huge choice of subjects that students can combine together.

"Another reason is location - Oxford is a compact and lively multicultural city, with a large number of international students and easy access to airports."

Ms Poole cited Westminster University's 165 years history and the depth of its programmes as big selling points.

"We offer more than 130 taught master courses and in excess of 170 undergraduate degree courses, many of those with an international focus."

Students and universities say they are benefiting from this experience.

"The varieties of cultural and educational activities in the UK cannot be found in other countries," said Ms Karsou, who is about to finish her MSc in environmental and sustainable development.

Ms Poole said international students saw the UK as the top choice for the quality of education and recognised the rewards a UK degree could reap when they returned to their home countries.

"The UK also offers an unparalleled choice of degree courses with an unusual blend of innovation coupled with academic history.

"It is widely recognised that international students studying in the UK benefit the university environment and all students' experience by introducing a wider cultural mix and debate whilst at the university.

"After the students return to their home countries they hopefully remain friends for life, both with the institution and the UK."