<p>Laylah- those statistics include non degree-seeking, or affiliate, overseas students. Additionally, they are counted in the overall overseas fees status category for 2006-7, but roughly half don’t appear on table Q, because the HEFCE census date is 1 December.</p>
<p>The comment about difficulty is an opinion, although an informed one. I should have added that it is somewhat harder for Americans than UK students to get an offer for the same degree program. One of the
problems that UK admissions staff have with American high school qualifications is the paucity of external examinations, except for the SAT, which is not considered a valuable indicator- it counts, but not much, it’s worth a glance. Hence the emphasis on AP exams. The IB is even better.</p>