In some cases, applicants said they were opting for one university because of its “global reputation” and “excellent teaching quality”. The phrases were later found on the university’s website.

The disclosure comes amid a dramatic rise in the number of foreign students admitted to British universities.

The number of students from outside Europe taking higher degree courses, such as masters and doctorates, has soared more than eightfold since the mid-1990s. Many can be charged much higher fees than British counterparts.

But two years ago a whistleblower from one leading institution said postgraduate degrees were being awarded to students lacking the most basic language skills as cash-strapped universities seek to use them as a lucrative source of income.

The latest study by Surrey University looked at a random sample of 60 personal statements, submitted between 2005-06 and 2008-09, for postgraduate courses at one unnamed business school.

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