The report draws on the most recent data available from 146 countries, and it covers 10 interrelated themes. This article focuses on the international student mobility findings and analysis.

More mobile students than ever

As of 2024, there were 7.3 million students studying abroad, a more-than-tripling over the past two decades. This growth is expected to continue for the next several years at least.

While seven countries host almost half of the world鈥檚 international students (see chart below), emerging destinations are increasingly popular. UNESCO names several of these:

• Argentina
• China
• Egypt
• Japan
• Malaysia
• South Korea
• 罢眉谤办颈测别
• The United Arab Emirates (UAE)

The report highlights 罢眉谤办颈测别 and UAE in particular:

鈥淚n 罢眉谤办颈测别 alone, the number of students surged within 10 years by more than six-fold, from 38,590 in 2012 to 244,027 in 2022 (the last year of data availability). In the United Arab Emirates, the figure grew five-fold to reach 237,034 in 2023, compared to 54,162 in 2012 (no data is available from 2013 to 2016).鈥�

We can also point to recent Monitor data on some of these other emerging destinations:

• China
• Egypt
• Japan
• South Korea

Regional mobility has grown substantially

When we look at the increasingly popular emerging destinations highlighted by UNESCO, part of the story for their ascendence is the growing tendency of mobile students to stay within their own region for study. For example, UNESCO notes: 鈥淚n East Asia, the number of international students travelling to study within the region is growing at a faster rate than those travelling outside the region.鈥�

This is a major competitive issue for institutions in the West because of the sheer volume of mobile students from Asia. In 2023, nearly half of all outbound students came from Asia, with East Asia and the Pacific accounting for 26% and South Asia and West Asia responsible for another 21%. Those students used to gravitate mainly to the West, but this historical flow is weakening. Asian students are increasingly choosing destinations such as China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea.

UNESCO uses the example of China to underline the fact that several Asian destinations are now both major sources and hosts of international students:

鈥淐hina plays a dual and dominant role in this [intraregional] trend. Not only is it the world鈥檚 primary source of outbound international students, but it also serves as the main host country within East Asia and the Pacific.鈥�

In other parts of the world, too, the intra-regional movement is strong:

• Latin America and the Caribbean: 鈥淭he proportion of students choosing to study in other countries within the region nearly doubled between 2000 and 2022, climbing from 24% to 43% [with Argentina the main recipient].鈥�

• Middle East: 鈥淚n most reporting countries, the majority of international students come from within the region. This is particularly pronounced in Jordan, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Mauritania, and Algeria [where at least half of all inbound students are from Arab States].鈥�

South-South mobility

Another crucial part of the evolution of global student mobility is the 鈥淪outh-South鈥� phenomenon, where students travel between Global South countries. The trend is often fuelled by ambition and investment on the part of Global South countries aiming to be education hubs. UNESCO elaborates:

鈥淓mergent examples include Egypt, whose scholarship programmes and package of initiatives under the Study in Egypt programme make it a top choice for students from Africa and the Arab States, and Malaysia, where low costs and expanding degree options attract students from East Asia and the Pacific. In India, students from sub-Saharan Africa are the second largest population group behind those from South and West Asia, which may be explained by the English-language programmes offered and cultural initiatives on the part of the Indian government, such as the Study in India programme which seeks to motivate students primarily from the Global South to undertake higher education in the country.鈥�

The South-South trend is especially important considering that of the 10 countries responsible for almost half (45%) of all outbound mobility (see chart below), more than half are in the Global South (seven are in Asia and one is in Africa).

Towards better access to higher education?

The rest of the UNESCO report explains that while participation in higher education has never been higher, there are still pronounced differences in access and mobility, with poor students from less developed nations at a disadvantage:

“Despite growth expectations, the proportion of higher education students benefiting from academic mobility remains low, just under 3%, underscoring the elitist nature of mobility as still only a privileged few individuals gain access to higher education opportunities abroad.鈥�

To this point, perhaps the wider availability of compelling, more affordable options outside the West is an opportunity to expand academic mobility to more than just that 3%.

For additional background, please see:

• 鈥�From the Big Four to the Big Fourteen鈥�
• 鈥�Which countries will contribute the most to global student mobility in 2030?鈥�
• 鈥�Research shows link between study abroad and poverty alleviation鈥�
• 鈥�Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe鈥�

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The results of the ninth Emerging Futures survey suggest major implications for governments and institutions alike. They show a distinct shift in students鈥� approach to choosing where in the world to study.

IDP notes: 鈥淲hile employability, post-study work opportunities, and affordability remain core drivers, EF9 shows students are now screening options more proactively, often ruling out destinations sooner due to visa costs, policy uncertainty, or perceived barriers to entry.鈥�

The survey was conducted between early-March and late-April of 2026 among over 5,800 prospective and current students in 118 countries.

Demand remains high for Big Four destinations

The survey found that Australia (21%), the UK (19%), and the US and Canada (14%) remain the preferred countries in which to study. A main reason for this is that students believe there will be a high return-on-investment (ROI) from studying in those countries, especially with regards to career prospects.

Visa barriers impact perceived ROI

Despite their appeal, Big Four destinations are currently associated with uncertain, unfair, or increasingly restrictive immigration policies. Students are aware that:

• The likelihood of obtaining a visa for the US and Canada is lower than in the past (especially for students from some regions).
• Work and immigration rights are narrowing for international graduates in the US.
• 础耻蝉迟谤补濒颈补鈥檚 non-refundable visa application fee and financial requirements are the most expensive across all destinations.
• The UK government will reduce its popular post-study work stream, the Graduate Route, to 18 months for undergraduate and master鈥檚 students in 2027, and there are for further tightening of work and immigration rights.

Developments such as these are jeopardising the perceived ROI of studying in a Big Four country. If a student is doubtful they can pay for or obtain a visa, and if they see evidence of post-study work rights shrinking, they are naturally more likely to think twice about their decisions. The survey results show that this uncertainty is manifesting in several ways:

• Earlier influence: Students are exploring visa settings before or alongside their research on traditional 鈥減ull鈥� factors such as programme availability, costs of study/living, rankings, reputation, etc. More than 4 in 10 said that the financial requirements of a visa application, the cost of applying for a visa, and the post-study work opportunities attached to a visa exert a strong influence on their choice of study destination.

IDP says: 鈥淰isa concerns are occurring earlier as prospects weigh the true cost to arrive [and] the likelihood of visa approval and employment pathways, [which points] to a strong focus on the value of their investment of an overseas degree.鈥�

• Dramatic effect: Visa issues are a major reason that some students decide to give up their goal of studying abroad. Of students who said they have decided not to study abroad, more than a quarter said it was because the cost of a student visa is too high (27%) or because securing a visa is too difficult (26%).

• A wider net: More than three-quarters of students (78%) are now weighing multiple countries before committing, up from 66% in October 2024.

Visa settings as deterrent

IDP notes: 鈥淸The survey findings] reflect the cumulative impact of increasingly restrictive visa policies, and act as a warning sign to all destinations that sustained policy tightening can rapidly shift student preferences.鈥�

Simon Emmett, Chief Partner Officer of IDP Education, said:

鈥淪tudents are behaving more like savvy consumers, comparing destinations based on the return on their investment. If students can鈥檛 quickly understand whether they鈥檙e likely to qualify, what they鈥檒l need to show and what it will cost up front, they will eliminate destinations sooner or delay plans altogether 鈥�.

鈥淚nternational students are planning the biggest chapter of their lives while navigating major hurdles. Governments of countries that want to attract the highest quality students should help them understand visa decisions, not add uncertainty that drives good students elsewhere.鈥�

Mr Emmett called for collaboration across the sector and emphasised the collective need to 鈥渓ift confidence in international education through greater transparency and accountability, better data on outcomes and visa trends, and enhanced compliance and early warning signals that protect students and support sustainable growth.鈥�

Implications for institutions

The IDP research underlines the importance of strong communications, website content, and social media posts clarifying visa information for international students. If partnering with agents, institutions will also need to make sure they are constantly equipping agents with the most current, accurate information about immigration rules. In an era where students鈥� confidence in traditional study abroad destinations is under pressure, there is no room for error in these communications.

What鈥檚 more, there is a chance to build stronger relationships with students by stepping in to provide trusted information when it may be difficult to find otherwise.

For additional background, please see:

• 鈥�A common challenge: Strengthening student confidence in the ROI of study abroad鈥�
• 鈥�What students want: The top decision factors for study abroad鈥�

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These trends are highlighted in results from the most recent by NAFSA, Oxford Test of English, and Studyportals. The survey asked respondents from over 254 universities across 36 countries about new international enrolments in the January鈥揗arch 2026 intake; perceived barriers to enrolling students; and recruitment strategies.

The research found that universities in the Big Four are struggling with policy-induced enrolment pressures, but it also revealed that they are adapting recruitment strategies for their current context. Edwin van Rest, CEO of Studyportals, commented: 鈥淯niversities that are agile, proactive and supportive of students are much better positioned to absorb visa disruption and sustain enrolment.鈥�

About the research findings

The survey sample was heavily weighted towards the US, with 149 universities from the US compared with 39 in Europe, 24 in the UK, 13 in Canada, 9 from Australia, and 9 from the Asia-Pacific region (excluding Australia). In all, about three-quarters of responding universities were in the Big Four. For this reason, the regional breakdowns in the survey report are especially valuable.

There was also a Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey wave in January to March 2025. While apples-to-apples comparisons between the early-2025 and early-2026 waves cannot be made because of the waves鈥� slightly different samples, broad trends are definitely apparent.

New undergraduate enrolments

As shown in Chart 1 below, 69% of Canadian institutions reported fewer undergraduate students in the January 2026 intake. Considered alongside the 82% that reported a drop in the Q1 2025 survey wave, this marks two years of severe contraction.

In Q1 2026, 62% of US universities welcomed fewer new undergraduate students, a greater proportion than the 48% reporting the same in Q1 2025. This suggests that recruitment challenges have intensified in the US over the past year.

The undergraduate enrolment situation in Australia and the UK appears less dire. Under half of Australian (44%) institutions reported a falloff, and just as many (44%) said they had welcomed more new international students. The picture was more balanced in the UK, with 42% saying commencements were down, 37% reporting stability, and 21% enrolling more new students.

Meanwhile, Asian and European institutions are faring very well. Fully 82% of Asian institutions saw more new undergraduate students in Q1 2026 than in Q1 2025, and none of them reported drops. In Europe, almost half (47%) of responding universities reported a year-over-year increase, which is nearly double the proportion reporting a decline (25%).

Graduate trends

As shown in Chart 2 (below), around two-thirds of Australian, British, and American universities reported lower international postgraduate commencements in January 2026. The 2026 trend is worse for British institutions than in 2025, when only half said commencements were down, but it is stable in the US.

Canadian institutions are grappling with further deterioration at the postgraduate level in 2026. Fully 8 in 10 (80%) institutions reported declines (up from 71% in Q1 2025), and none reported increases.

Meanwhile, over half of Asian universities (55%) reported postgraduate commencement gains, as did 43% of European institutions.

Significant differences in Q1 2025 and Q1 2026 survey results

Chart 3 (below) shows the difference in average reported commencements between Q1 2025 and Q1 2026. European and Asian institutions welcomed considerably more new students in Q1 2026, especially at the bachelor鈥檚 level. Masters鈥� commencements were down significantly in Australia. In Canada and the US, intakes at both levels worsened considerably. Canadian undergraduate programmes were particularly affected, while in the US, the most severe reduction was at the master鈥檚 level. While less pronounced than in North America, a downward trend is also evident in the UK at both levels.

The most pressing issues

An overwhelming majority of respondents in the Big Four cited restrictive policies as the biggest obstacle they face (Chart 4 below). The full Australian sample (100%) picked this option, as did 84% in both Canada and the US and 71% in the UK. Policies were also the top challenge in Europe, but only 59% chose this response option.

In Asia, the top three cited issues did not include policies at all. Instead, cost of study/living, English-proficiency requirements, and academic requirements were the main challenges for Asian institutions.

What lies ahead

More than 4 in 10 universities in Australia, Canada, and the UK are planning budget cuts in the next 12 months, with over a third saying the same in the US (Chart 5 below). Close to a quarter of institutions in Australia and Canada are also planning to cut staff.

The relatively supportive policy environments in which Asian and European institutions are recruiting are reflected in their plans. Fully 64% of Asian institutions have more aggressive enrolment goals, as do 31% in Europe. In Asia, more than half (55%) intend to use more AI in their operations, and 26% of European institutions do as well. The mindset is clearly one of growth, while Big Four universities have their hands full with managing tough policy contexts and associated budget and staff cuts.

Across the board, however, institutions see diversification as a necessity this year (the most cited sample-wide priority at 37%).

Sector resilience and top strategies

The top strategies being used by universities to boost international enrolments are highlighted in Chart 6, below. Introducing new programmes; diversifying/expanding geographically; executing strong branding/marketing; and offering financial incentives and scholarships were the most cited institution-led initiatives.

In addition, a notable proportion of universities reported that they had introduced January start dates to 鈥渕anage visa unpredictability and to capture students who would otherwise defer or drop out of the cycle.鈥� The report notes:

鈥淥ne global recruitment calendar rarely works well for all markets. Understanding demand by origin country can help to prioritise marketing and recruitment activities. Certain countries show a notably stronger preference for the January to March intake than their peers elsewhere.鈥�

Of the Q1 2026 findings, Dr Fanta Aw, Executive Director and CEO of NAFSA, commented: 鈥淒espite an increasingly uncertain policy environment, the survey shows that institutions willing to innovate and adapt can still create meaningful pathways for student success and access 鈥�. Institutions can and must exercise greater agency to counter serious external forces.鈥�

The study report adds:

鈥淭he right response to a shifting landscape is not to wait it out. It is to understand it better and move faster. Student demand for international education remains strong. The institutions that will capture it are the ones that treat uncertainty not as a reason to pause, but as a reason to think differently.鈥�

For additional background, please see:

• 鈥�From the Big Four to the Big Fourteen鈥�
• 鈥�Canada and the US are losing international student enrolments to Europe and Asia鈥�
• 鈥�The four key trends that will shape international student mobility for the next decade鈥�

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The latter development is bound to have widening impacts across the world as the strait is a notably narrow maritime passage through which approximately 20% of the world鈥檚 daily oil and liquefied natural gas shipments flow. A closure of any duration will cause supply chain shortages and surging energy prices, and could even threaten global economic stability.

It has been hard not to notice the early projections of that widening economic instability over the past couple of weeks. In the , for example, “When the war in Iran started鈥sia expected to see serious, gradual impacts from losing access to a huge portion of the world鈥檚 oil and gas. But the conflict鈥檚 economic and social impacts have hit the region harder and faster than officials and experts expected.”

Or from : “Losing almost 20% of global oil supply leads to shortages, rationing, with effects that go far beyond demand destruction from higher prices. Around two-thirds of global oil consumption is transport-related, and diesel is the backbone of commercial logistics, agriculture, and parts of industry, so disruption would hit the economy through multiple channels.”

It seems clear that those impacts will be felt unevenly, with some global regions, notably Asia, more impacted as those supply chains and energy supplies are more directly affected by a disruption in Gulf shipping. Other regions, such as North America, are expected to be less affected. What is clear, however, is that such a significant change in global energy supply will unleash a new type of inflationary pressure on global markets, as rising fuel costs drive up prices across the global economy.

Those price effects have been particularly visible over the past month with respect to air travel. Around the world, carriers are adding fuel surcharges or otherwise raising fares to keep pace with rising fuel costs. Some are also cutting back on routes to better ensure that flights operate closer to capacity. There are also a growing number of reports projecting a shortage in jet fuel for at least this quarter and next, which could lead to further flight reductions and will only heighten the upward pressure on airfares.

“Much of the world鈥檚 jet fuel is refined in Asia; South Korea is the world鈥檚 No. 1 exporter,” reports . “But much of the crude that Asian countries use to make jet fuel comes from the Middle East鈥ven if the strait does reopen for good, and soon, it will take weeks for oil and jet fuel trapped by the strait鈥檚 closure to reach customers in Europe and Asia.”

To make that a little more concrete, the benchmark European jet fuel price for the week ending 24 April was US$1,478 per tonne, which compares to the per-tonne rate of US$831 before the war began. Airline pricing policy is changing quickly as a result, with carriers often levying fixed or route-specific fuel surcharges. In some cases, airfares have roughly doubled (or more) since February.

On top of those direct impacts of rising fuel costs and/or shortages of jet fuel, tens of thousands of flights have been cancelled or rerouted around key air travel hubs in the Gulf region, further adding to the disruption and upward pressure on airfares.

How are students affected?

It is too early to say how that global pricing disruption, or the prospect of a deepening economic impact, will impact student mobility.

Based on historical patterns, we might imagine that students travelling for longer-term travel 鈥� such as a degree programme or K-12 studies of a year or more 鈥� are less likely to be deterred in their study plans this year. But those same historical patterns suggest that enrolment in shorter-term courses, such as summer language programmes, could be more heavily affected.

When asked for their perspective on an EnglishUSA online forum, member language schools reported a mixed outlook for the summer season. “No one has explicitly referenced high airfare as a reason for not enrolling in courses this summer,” said one. “One partner did mention higher flight costs than anticipated, but that did not impact plans to attend our summer sessions. We’ve also had some partners indirectly reference ‘global affairs’ as a reason for not sending students this year, without mentioning flights specifically.”

“One of our partners cited the war, rising costs, and current global uncertainty as their reason for backing out of a summer special programme,” said another. “So, yes, we are seeing a negative impact.”

English UK Chief Executive Jodie Gray adds, “We have heard anecdotal reports from members that they’re seeing some cancellations from individual students/groups, and there’s concern that the situation may worsen as we move towards the summer.

English UK is running a monthly barometer of our members to monitor the impact of the war in the Middle East on their businesses. At this time of year, it’s very much a tipping point. There is a sense of uncertainty about what will unfold over the coming months as we head into the crucial summer season. What is clear is that the UK ELT sector is very much open for business as normal.鈥�

For additional background, please see:

• “As Iran retaliates across the Middle East, schools close, students worry, and institutions reassess transnational education“

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Of its research, the British Council notes:

鈥淭he findings from multiple metrics suggest that in an increasingly unstable, multipolar world, there is a growing preference among young people for predictability, security, and capability 鈥� qualities increasingly associated with non-Western governance models 鈥� over the perceived instability, paralysis and polarisation of many Western democracies.鈥�

Of the study destinations becoming more attractive to youth, several are authoritarian, which dovetails with another major study that found that young people are to non-democratic governance. The Big Four remain in the lead, but they are losing ground, not least because of less welcoming immigration settings than in the past 鈥� particularly for students from the Global South.

About the research

The British Council鈥檚 2025 Global Perceptions survey sample was over 20,000 youth aged 18鈥�34 in G20 countries excluding Russia. A key aim was determining how the UK stacks up against other countries in terms of attractiveness, trust, perceptions of the economy and government, and as a study abroad destination.

The 2025 QS Global Student Flows report drew on responses from over 70,000 students across 191 countries. Otherwise, QS says it 鈥渕aps and forecasts international student mobility using an open source framework, flow mapping technology, and scenario-based forecasting.鈥�

Leaders and climbers

The British Council survey asked respondents about the overall attractiveness of countries based on a number of metrics. Chart 1 (below) shows Japan, Italy, and the UK are in the lead, but all have lost some ground. Japan is almost stable since 2016 (down 1 percentage point), but Italy and the UK have lost -5 and -6 percentage points, respectively. The UK leads in 鈥渢rust in government,鈥� but has fallen slightly (-1) while Japan is #2 and has gained +5 percentage points.

Meanwhile, of the five 鈥渃limbers鈥� (countries that gained the most in attractiveness since 2016), four are in Asia (South Korea, 罢眉谤办颈测别, China, and Indonesia), with Saudi Arabia rounding out the top five.

Interestingly, of the five climbers, two are non-democratic (China and Saudi Arabia), and one is increasingly authoritarian (罢眉谤办颈测别). All three of those countries have 鈥渟trongman鈥� leaders who have been in power for some time. China鈥檚 President Xi Jinping has held the presidency since 2013; Saudi Arabia鈥檚 Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman has led since 2017, following his father, Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; and 罢眉谤办颈测别鈥檚 President Recep Tayyip Erdo臒an has held power since 2014.

What鈥檚 more, even Russia makes the top 10 for attractiveness today (see Chart 2, below), bouncing back from its ranking of #18 when it invaded Ukraine to #10 in 2025. Russia鈥檚 President Vladimir Putin has been in place since 1999 and rules with an iron fist.

The British Council notes:

鈥淭he top ten for overall attractiveness has long been dominated by rich, liberal, democratic capitalist states. The UK, Japan, and Italy have consistently held leading positions over the past decade. But that dominance is no longer assured: Australia, Canada, and the United States have all seen their rankings decline over time, with the risk that one or more may soon fall out of the top ten.鈥�

QS also finds a gravitation to non-Western countries

There may be a connection between these changes in attractiveness and students鈥� rapidly growing interest in alternative destinations. In publishing its 2025 Global Student Flows report, QS interviewed Matthew Ramsey, Director of University Affairs at the University of British Columbia, who said:

鈥淲e now live in a more uncertain global environment. This uncertainty has an impact on the younger generation, and especially those who may consider studying outside of their home country.鈥�

The Global Student Flows report projects that by 2030, 罢眉谤办颈测别, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Japan will gain more share of international students, while the combined market share of the Big Four is projected to drop from 40% to 35%.

High visa rejection rates will ripple outside of international education

High visa rejection rates in Australia, Canada, and the US for African and South Asian students will have a huge impact on future global student mobility 鈥� and countries鈥� soft power. QS interviewed Hans de Wit, a Distinguished Fellow at the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College, who said:

鈥淲e see a reduction in South-North mobility and an increase in South-South mobility 鈥� Africa is the new battlefield, with students moving within the region and to Asia and the Middle East.鈥�

The losses incurred by traditional leaders in attractiveness such as Canada and the US coincide with their extremely high visa rejection rates of students from Global South countries. For example:

• In 2025, nearly two-thirds (64%) of all F-1 visa applications from African students were rejected. Many Asian students were even more likely to be refused: India: 61%; Pakistan: 71%; Bangladesh: 73%; Nepal: 81%; and Afghanistan: 81%.

• The latest African-only study permit rejection rate data published by the Canadian government in 2023 found that over 60% of African students were refused in Canada. And in 2025, the refusal rate for Indian students was 74%.

With rejection rates like these, the ability of the US and Canada to build soft power and partnerships with the Global South is greatly diminished. The introduction to the British Council鈥檚 Global Perceptions report states:

鈥淸Youth perceptions] influence personal choices 鈥� like where to study, where to build a business, or which partnerships to pursue. But they also shape the choices of governments, businesses, and international organisations. Whether negotiating trade deals, collaborating on climate action, or sharing intelligence, trust is the foundation of international cooperation.鈥�

The UK has also lost ground

The British Council found that of the top 5 study destinations, the UK has lost considerable ground (see Chart 3 below), and it notes that this trend has wide implications:

鈥淭he UK has long benefitted from a strong soft power position. But 鈥� this advantage is slipping. While the UK remains attractive and trusted, its relative standing among G20 nations is under pressure. This poses a direct challenge to its international influence, long-term security, and economic prosperity. Crucially, soft power is no longer the preserve of a few traditional powers. Emerging players are actively vying to become the next 鈥渟oft power superpower.鈥� The competition is intensifying 鈥� and the field is levelling. In this new race, complacency is costly. If the UK is to maintain its edge, it must act decisively, strategically, and with purpose.鈥�

One finding in particular confirms the strong linkages between economic competitiveness, soft power and study abroad: youth respondents saying they studied in the UK were four times more likely to say they intend to do business or trade with the UK in the future than those who had not.

Practical rather than philosophical

For students from the Global South aiming to improve their and their families鈥� lives, study abroad offers the chance of earning globally recognised degrees, sending money home, and accessing often better educational systems than exist in their own countries. If they can鈥檛 get into a Big Four destination, they have increasingly attractive alternatives.

Over time, the more international students who study outside the West, the more talent, trade, and soft power will be concentrated in those regions.

For additional background, please see:

• 鈥�From the Big Four to the Big Fourteen鈥�
• “Visa rejections climb in the US for international students from key markets including India“
• “Australia: Student visa refusal rates reach record high amid weakening demand from China“
• “Narrowing bands of compliance: How the UK鈥檚 new RAG system will impact international student recruitment“

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The most recent edition of the ISB gathered responses from 93,843 international students from 135 universities during a September鈥揇ecember 2025 survey window.

Here are five important takeaways from this year’s top-level findings.

Students are mostly satisfied with their study abroad experience

When asked in the 2025 ISB cycle, “Overall, how satisfied are you with all aspects of your experience at this institution?”, 90% of respondents said they were “satisfied” or “very satisfied.”

A related question asked respondents how likely they are to recommend their institution to a family member or friend. Etio uses the responses to generate a Net Promoter Score (NPS). Using a response scale of 0鈥�10, students who provide a score of 6 or below are classified as “Detractors,” whereas those who give a 7 or 8 are classified as “Passives,” and those who give a 9 or 10 are “Promoters.” The Net Promoter Score is arrived at by subtracting the percentage of Detractors from the percentage of Promoters.

The ISB shows that, globally, the Net Promoter Score has been on the rise since 2019, where the aggregated NPS value across the survey was 15, to 2025 with its NPS of 22. As with overall satisfaction ratings, there are big differences within institutions (by faculty or student nationality, for example), and by destination.

Students feel they are getting good value for their investment in study abroad

When asked, “To what extent do you feel that your current course is good value for money?”, 85% of students either agreed or strongly agreed that they were getting good value.

As we see in the chart, ratings for value for money have been climbing steadily since 2019. “That 85% as we are now is a pretty good result for the sector,” says Etio’s Head of Surveys Robin Hallows. “It suggests that [institutions] are by and large delivering on their promise.”

“I do wonder if there is a link between the improvements we have seen over time around graduate outcomes, employability, and career readiness 鈥� if there is a link to student perceptions of value for money.”

“Institutions are also managing expectations around cost,” adds Guy Perring, Etio’s Regional Director for APAC and the Middle East. “Singapore, for example, does very well in this regard. It’s not a cheap option; in fact, Singapore is one of the most expensive cities in the world. But they manage the expectations of the students so that students know how much the cost of living will be [in advance].”

Career impact remains the key driver

This year’s ISB results underscore that decision making for study abroad is heavily influenced by future career considerations, and by a return on investment calculation that weighs the costs of study and living abroad against anticipated future earnings.

Those priorities come through loud and clear when the ISB asked students, “How important were the following factors when deciding where to study?”

“The impact the [foreign qualification] has on their future careers is the most important decision factor,” says Mr Hallows. “And it’s always been the most important decision factor since 2019.”

“It is important for institutions to understand what drives decision making,” Nannette Ripmeester, Etio’s Regional Director for Europe, Africa, and North America. “This generation of students is completely different. [Study abroad] has to provide return on investment for them.”

Online information sources are having a greater impact on student decisions

When asked, “Which of the following helped your decision to choose this institution?”, students noted institutional websites and education agents as the most important influences on their study abroad decision, followed by friends and family.

It is interesting that the influences that have seen the greatest change over time are all digital, including the institutional website, online advertising, and social media channels.

There is a satisfaction gap in career services

The ISB asked a number of questions around career services, including “How satisfied are you with the following types of employment / careers support from this institution?”

“There is a bit of a variance [in satisfaction] within career support,” adds Mr Hallows. “Satisfaction with ‘information’ is quite a bit higher at 78% than employment 鈥� i.e., getting a job 鈥� at 59%. What I see when I see this is the potential for further improvement; for growth.”

For additional background, please see:

• “What students want: The top decision factors for study abroad“
• “How post-study work rights can make or break the return on investment for study abroad“

The post Five things we learned from this year’s International Student Barometer appeared first on 黑料官网 Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Prospective students are considering the high cost of studying and living abroad in those leading destinations and then they are:

• Looking at rules restricting foreign students鈥� entry, work rights, and ability to bring their families;
• Comparing what institutions promise about employment outcomes to what current students and alumni say about what is actually happening for them.

When considering each destination individually, they notice that:

• The non-refundable fee for a student visa in Australia keeps ramping up (it is currently AU$2,000), alongside historically high visa rejection rates.
• The UK鈥檚 Graduate Route post-study work term is being cut from 24 months to 18 months in 2027.
• Post-study work streams in the US are under review by policy makers.
• Canada鈥檚 international student cap remains in place, alongside more restrictive policies for post-graduation work eligibility, and declining visa approval rates.

At the same time, labour markets in the Big Four are being disrupted by geo-political factors and the impact of new technologies. The youth unemployment rate is currently higher in Canada than it was just after the pandemic, and it is the highest it has been in a decade in the UK 鈥� trends that contribute to a more uncertain employment outlook for domestic and foreign graduates alike.

“Post-study work is obviously a key driver for a significant part of the prospective student audience,” says Dr Mark Bennett, Vice President of Research and Insight at Keystone Education Group. “But that doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 their 鈥榙efault鈥� option post-graduation. Rather, it鈥檚 one of many opportunities that enhances the value and attractiveness of an international degree. Trusting that the door is there in advance matters whether or not someone chooses to walk through it later.鈥�

Measuring student sentiment

Recent survey research and social media listening studies confirm that international prospects are more skeptical about the ROI of study abroad in a Big Four destination.

Looking just at the UK, for example:

• New research found that 34% of international students are less interested in UK study as a result of the imminent shortening of the Graduate Route (and half of the sample didn鈥檛 know about the policy change, indicating that demand might fall still further).

• Student visa applications to the UK in the first three months of 2026 were down -31% compared with the same period in 2025.

• A newly released study by , an AI-powered social media listening platform purpose-built for international education, found that across various social channels there is vigorous conversation about the pros and cons of studying in the UK among current and prospective international students. Anxiety and disappointment are common themes in those online conversations across tens of thousands of student comments throughout 2025. So too is a sense of being valued primarily for paying higher tuition fees than domestic students.

Here are just a couple of quotes featured in the Voyage study:

鈥淭he government introduces policies every year, which further deters international students, such as the graduate visa restrictions, not allowing dependents, etc. The new visa restrictions pretty much killed any chance of working in the UK. If you鈥檙e looking for a degree from well-regarded institutions, that鈥檚 great. If you鈥檙e looking to get a job afterwards, just know that your options are extremely, extremely limited and recent law changes have pretty much made it impossible.鈥�

鈥淭he immigration policies are made to be as prohibitive as possible. After milking you with insane tuition fees and living expenses while providing you with no jobs, the UK wants you to spend around 3,000 pounds on a graduate visa. This will allow you to stay for 2 years. Will you find jobs on a graduate visa? You have a better chance than the impossible student visa, but it is still hard.鈥�

Overall, the conversations picked up by Voyage include a notable level of concern about UK government policies that limit work rights while tuition fees remain much higher for international students.

A new urgency around career services

In the face of restrictive government policies, it is crucial for institutions to demonstrate their continued value to international students.

This means proving 鈥� not just promising 鈥� that they are committed to international students鈥� post-study success. An excellent way of achieving this is (1) customising career services for the unique needs of international students and (2) effectively communicating the value of this function to them.

Recent research shows that this isn鈥檛 happening enough as yet. A 2024 QS and Universities UK International study, which surveyed 10,000 international graduates from nearly 40 universities, found that only 3% of employed graduates had found their job with the help of career services. About a fifth had used career services for other reasons, but not for job-finding.

The research highlights a gap between the availability of career services and the relevance of this function in the eyes of international students.

Recognising that international students have more barriers to securing a job than domestic students do can help to close this gap. For those students, career services must go beyond resume coaching, interview prep, etc. They need to cover other critical areas, including:

• Working through complicated visa and immigration processes.
• Being aware of programmes linked to skills gaps (that are thus prioritised by governments and employers).
• Knowing which programmes are eligible for post-study work streams.
• Avoiding being penalised simply because of not being aware of a deadline or requirement.
• Building professional networks both in their host destination and elsewhere, because:
  • There is not a guarantee they will be able to work in the host country after studies due to policies or other factors.
  • They may not want to stay in the host country and be perfectly content to find a good job at home or in another country.
• Identifying employers who are open to hiring/sponsoring international students.

Embedding career and immigration supports

Sanam Arora is the chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) in the UK. At the 2025 黑料官网 Monitor Global Summit in London, she explained:

鈥淪eventy percent of Indians choose a destination of study on the basis of overall employability, and they have historically seen the UK or US in particular as a launchpad for global careers. In that sense, the definition of what it means to be educated has fundamentally changed. Universities that realise they鈥檙e not just here to educate, they鈥檙e here to be that global talent launchpad, will really ace this going forward.鈥�

Ms Arora shared her own perspective on what she would find helpful:

鈥淏efore I graduate, I want the university to help me prepare for a successful life. That is what I think of when I think of career services, because success in a career is not that different than success in life. Sometimes career services is seen as something that is off to the side or in a corner, but really it needs to be embedded end-to-end throughout the entire student life cycle.鈥�

Embedding career services means considering the whole student journey 鈥� from pre-admission to post-graduation. It means offering help to students not only in choosing the right programme, but also in understanding immigration rules and post-study pathways. Supporting students through those immigration processes is in fact an integral part of career services today, especially in the wake of heightened government oversight and compliance requirements.

Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, has department whose name fits the bill for what is needed in our current context: the . That office combines employment research with immigration guidance, and it is open to all international students.

A wider lens for networking

Another important angle today is to recognise that fewer international students will be able to stay on to work because of new immigration policies 鈥� and some will naturally prefer to pursue careers in their home country or in a third country in any case. This puts the onus on institutions to connect students to global networking platforms and to career fairs with international employers.

Collecting data on students from the very beginning of their enrolment about their post-study plans enables the customisation of career services not just on the basis of international versus domestic, but also international 鈥減lanning to stay鈥� and international 鈥減lanning to return home or work elsewhere.鈥�

Integral to brand reputation

There is a growing urgency to backing up the promise of employability with real outcomes for students. Helping international students to achieve the ROI they expect is ever-more integral to brand integrity and equity, to student satisfaction, and to the ability to recruit successfully in overseas markets.

For additional background, please see:

• 鈥�Survey highlights a growing 鈥榚ngagement gap鈥� between international student expectations and institutional response鈥�
• 鈥�Is a university degree still the same passport to success?鈥�
• 鈥�What students want: The top decision factors for study abroad鈥�

The post A common challenge: Strengthening student confidence in the ROI of study abroad appeared first on 黑料官网 Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

The report鈥檚 introduction notes that 鈥渞egions that were once seen primarily as sources of outbound demand are now positioning themselves as destinations in their own right.鈥� We can see that in international education strategies, rising foreign enrolments, and growth targets in countries such as Japan and South Korea.

A key strength for Asia is that it now collectively offers 20,000 English-taught programmes (ETPs), which allows Asian institutions to:

• Attract demand from students who might otherwise be deterred by language barriers;
• Compete more effectively with the Big Four destinations.

In addition, Asia (1) hosts the most transnational campuses and partnerships of any region, and (2) now has almost 600 institutions in the major world university rankings.

Taken together, this means that Asia is highly competitive on many fronts, including:

• Proximity to key regional source markets;
• Expanding work rights;
• Lower tuition and living costs;
• Highly ranked institutions;
• English-language programmes.

As the report notes, these attractions are perfectly timed for 鈥渟tudents who are increasingly weighing value-for-money, online/blended learning, and clear career pathways in their decision-making.鈥�

It is not coincidental that as countries such as China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and Malaysia gain Asian enrolments, Australia, Canada, the UK, and US are losing traction in many Asian markets. Top origin markets for Asian destinations include India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and several others.

Demand by level

Of Asian destinations, Japan and China are attracting most student interest, as demonstrated in Studyportals pageviews. Japan is the leader for master鈥檚 degrees, while Chinese bachelor鈥檚 programmes are rapidly gaining interest (+33% between 2023 and 2025). Vietnam has also gained share of student demand, up 101% for bachelor鈥檚 programmes. However, demand has weakened over the past couple of years for Singapore and South Korea.

Supply dynamics

Changes in supply on English-taught programmes (ETPs) can be signals of a destination鈥檚 ambition of becoming a study hub. For example, India expanded its supply of both bachelor鈥檚 (+54%) and master鈥檚 programmes (+53%) between 2023 and 2025. Its international enrolment target is 200,000 by 2030, up from just over 72,000 right now.

Other countries increasing their ETP supply include Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Brunei.

Important source markets

Across Asia, the most important sources of students for bachelor鈥檚 programmes include Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, which the report says, 鈥渦nderscores the pull of regional proximity, affordability, and growing ETP availability across Asia.鈥� At the master鈥檚 level, demand is most pronounced from India, but growth in demand is highest in Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Most popular programmes

As in other destinations, students are gravitating to STEM studies. Demand for these programmes offered in Asia outpaces supply. Other disciplines could stand to attract more students.

Regional perspective

The Studyportals/British Council report considers 鈥淎sia to be a consolidated destination, MENA as having policy-driven momentum, and Latin America having a more cautious trajectory.鈥� These regions, as well as Europe, are increasingly on the radar of the world鈥檚 international students. The report concludes:

鈥淭his continuous recalibration is redrawing the map of international education and raising important questions about how institutions and governments can remain competitive.鈥�

For additional information, please see:

• 鈥�Canada and India deepen educational ties; India repositions as an equal player in international education鈥�
• 鈥�Inbound, outbound, and transnational: the landscape for international education in China continues to evolve鈥�
• 鈥�Japan surpassed its foreign enrolment target of 400,000 in 2025鈥�

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