Universities are spending more on financial support for foreign students than British ones, figures suggest.

Institutions are using cash giveaways and fee discounts to attract lucrative overseas students.

Universities pay out millions of pounds in scholarships, means-tested bursaries and fee reductions to help undergraduates and postgraduates with costs.

Some are from external sources but the bulk comes from universities' coffers.

However, Freedom of Information data from 26 universities reveals that they spent more on aid for overseas students than UK ones.

These universities were the only ones to respond in full to a request sent out to all UK universities.

Collectively, they spent £151.3million on help for foreign students last year – £136.8million for postgraduates and £14.5million for undergraduates. 

Spending on home students totalled £149.1 million – £56.1 million for postgraduates and £93 million to undergraduates.

At Sussex University, overseas postgraduates were awarded £3.2million, compared with £779,000 for homegrown ones. 

At Glasgow Caledonian, 4,458 foreign postgraduates received £6.6million, while 223 UK ones received £320,497.

The giveaways mean universities lose millions of pounds of the fees these students pay, which range between £11,000 and £30,000, depending on the course, and can be as high as £67,000 for medicine.

But they are deemed worthwhile to get them to apply – and foreign student numbers have doubled in the last four years. 

Overseas student fees are keeping universities afloat, but visa data indicates enrolments may fall this year due to new restrictions on dependants.

Chris McGovern, chair of the Campaign for Real Education, said: 'If there is any spare cash, it should go to support UK youngsters.

'Educational quality, not bribes, is the better and more honest way to attract overseas students.'

A spokesman for Sussex said support was higher for foreign students because their fees were so much greater, and that it had more overseas than domestic students on postgraduate courses. 

A Glasgow Caledonian spokesman said UK and foreign postgraduate support was 'not comparable' due to 'the significant difference' in fees.

Universities UK said: 'International students contribute a huge amount to the UK's wider economy and to the success of our universities, including subsidising study for UK students through the extra fees they pay to study here. 

Universities do provide significant financial support for UK students through bursaries, scholarships and increasingly through hardship funds.'