More than a third of international students say they are now less likely to study at a UK university following last month’s vote to leave the EU, a survey has found.

Of 1,014 students surveyed this month by Hobsons International, a careers advisory service, 30 per cent said they were less likely to study in the UK, while 6 per cent said they would definitely not study in the UK as a result of the vote.

Many UK universities have embarked on ambitious expansion plans that are reliant on high fees from overseas students, who typically pay twice as much as domestic students. Hobson’s said 83 per cent of respondents were from outside the EU.

Income from international students is forecast to reach £4.2bn in the next academic year and £4.6bn in 2017-18, and is the biggest source of revenue growth for universities, according to the Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Universities increased their spending on new buildings 43 per cent in the past six months compared with the previous year. Contracts have been awarded for £1.5bn of projects, five of which are worth more than £50m each. A further £2bn of contracts is planned between 2017 and 2020, according to Barbour ABI, the construction analysts.

Some students cited a less welcoming environment and a rise in racist attacks since the referendum. One respondent said: “I’ve heard there’s been a spike in racism and xenophobia within the UK and I don’t want to support that in any form.” Another said: “People have become so racist and with all the ongoing circumstances, I’d not feel safe there.”

Reported hate crimes rose 57 per cent in the weekend after the referendum, and the National Police Chiefs’ Council said last week that 6,293 such crimes had been reported to the police between mid-June and mid-July.

People have become so racist and with all the ongoing circumstances, I’d not feel safe there [the UK]

Jeremy Cooper, managing director of Hobsons in Europe, said: “Market conditions for international student recruitment look set to toughen and universities need to send a clear message that the UK welcomes international students, as well as providing practical guidance and support.”

Almost two-thirds of students surveyed felt it would become harder for them to obtain a visa, while almost half expected it would become more difficult to get a job in the UK after graduating.

Among those who said Brexit made it more likely that they would come to the UK to study, 43 per cent said it was because the fall in the value of the pound would make it cheaper.

Universities UK, which lobbies on behalf of the sector, said: “Our university system will continue to be attractive and open to students and partners in all corners of the world. University leaders will continue to highlight the importance of diversity, tolerance and internationalism and promoting the UK as the most welcoming destination for talented people from across the world.”