The government-funded Talent Taiwan website says, “The message from the 2026 amendments is clear: Taiwan is no longer just looking for ‘workers’—it is looking for residents.”

Generous new work rights

Two years of open work rights for most international students: As long as they graduate with at least an associate’s degree, international graduates of Taiwanese universities can now work for two years in Taiwan without needing an additional work permit. The first allowance is one year, which can then be extended by a further year. During this time, graduates can intern, freelance, work part time, or work full time to “discover their ideal career path” in Taiwan. ‹‹

Before this amendment, only graduates who met salary requirements and worked in specific occupations were eligible for post-study work rights – and only then if they were sponsored by an employer.‹‹

Two years of open work rights for top students graduating with degrees from other countries: Students who have graduated in the past five years from one of the world’s top 200 universities (as ranked by Times Higher Education, QS, or US World News) can now apply for a two-year open work permit in Taiwan. ‹‹

Elimination of the two-year work experience requirement for employers hiring eligible students from abroad: Taiwanese employers can now hire graduates of the world’s top 1,500 universities (as ranked by Times Higher Education, QS, or US World News) without those graduates needing two years of work experience in Taiwan.‹‹

Shortened time to permanent residency: Prior to 2026, all international graduates of Taiwanese universities needed to work for five years in Taiwan before they could apply for permanent residency. But now, graduates of undergraduate programmes need only four years; graduates of master’s programmes need only three; and graduates of PhD programmes need only two before they can apply for permanent residency.‹‹

Pension upon hiring: Foreign workers no longer need permanent residency status to be enrolled in a pension plan in which Taiwanese employers automatically contribute 6% of salaries to “.” This allows foreign workers the same pension rights as domestic workers, and the policy is aimed at improving the appeal of a long-term career in Taiwan.

The government-funded Talent Taiwan website says: “By aligning retirement benefits, shortening the path to permanent residency, and giving students the freedom to explore the market, Taiwan is positioning itself as the most talent-friendly destination in the region.”

Why the push for foreign talent?

Taiwan faces a serious demographic challenge in the form of a low fertility rate and an ageing population. In 2025, it became a “super-aged” society; one in five Taiwanese (20.06%) is now aged 65 or older, compared to a world average of 10.4%. Other, even older, societies include Japan (30% are 65 or older); Italy and Portugal (25% each); Greece (24%); Germany and Hong Kong (24%); and France (23%). Not coincidentally, all these countries are aiming to attract more foreign students and workers.

Taiwan’s demographics are exacerbating skills shortages. Taiwan’s publication notes:

“The National Development Council projects about 350,000 job vacancies by 2028 
 including for sectors such as semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and healthcare.”

The need for semiconductor experts

Significant skills shortages in the semiconductor sector would pose a massive risk for Taiwan’s economy. Semiconductor chips are widely considered to be the “brain” of all modern electronics, from cars to medical devices, and from computers to smartphones. Their importance is only growing: the technology think tank states: “Semiconductor manufacturing is arguably the most lucrative industry for future economic competitiveness.”

Taiwan is the world’s top manufacturer of semiconductors, representing about 60% of global production – and 90% when it comes to the most advanced microchips that power AI innovation, high-performance computing (HPC), and sustainable technologies.

Semiconductor manufacturing accounts for 20.7% of Taiwan’s GDP, with the vast majority of that contributed by the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC). That foundry, on its own, held 50% of the global market in 2025 and supplies companies such as Apple, NVIDIA, and AMD.

In terms of global share, South Korea, China, the US, and Japan are the runners-up to Taiwan, and they are competing fiercely for more of the market.

Scholarships for semiconductor-focused students

Suffice to say, Taiwan needs more semiconductor-focused STEM students, and it needs them fast. Scholarships are one of the instruments being used to boost foreign enrolments in programmes such as electrical engineering, materials science, and physics, as well as niche areas including nanotechnology, quantum physics, and microelectronics.

This year, the government will add roughly NT$1 million (US$31,668) to scholarships for top foreign students pursuing studies in semiconductors and AI.

On 26 January 2026, MOE Secretary-General Lin Po-chiao announced and said:

“While the US, Japan and the EU have ramped up investment in semiconductors and AI, proactively recruiting advanced high-tech talent globally, Taiwan must promptly adjust its talent policies to maintain a strategic advantage in the next wave of technological competition.”

More investment is also slated for the major industry-academic scholarship International Industrial Talents Education Special Program (), which was launched in 2024.

INTENSE obtains its substantial funding for students from the government (responsible for bringing in and supporting students in their academics) and industry (for internships and pathways to employment).

The programme is open to students from outside Taiwan as well as international students currently studying in Taiwanese universities. Notably, INTENSE scholarship recipients are required to remain in Taiwan to work after graduation for the same length of time as it took to complete their programme.

The new work and permanent residency rights in place for 2026 will undoubtably make it easier for Taiwan to retain scholarship students for long-term careers in Taiwan’s technology sectors.

For additional background, please see:

• “Taiwan is close to reaching its pre-pandemic benchmark for international enrolment”
• “Asian destinations show their strength in latest ranking of student cities”

The post Taiwan ramps up international recruiting efforts with expanded work rights and scholarships appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Ju-Ho Lee said: “We are proud that Seoul has been recognised as the best student city in the world. This achievement reflects the global confidence in Korea’s higher education system and highlights Seoul’s ability to blend academic excellence with vibrant culture, cutting-edge innovation, and a safe, welcoming environment.”

The QS ranking evaluates 150 cities across 58 countries and territories. The US and UK are the most represented, with 16 cities each, and, historically, cities in those two leading study destinations, along with those in Europe, have dominated the table.

Not so in 2026, however. Joining top-ranked Seoul are Tokyo (#2), Singapore (#11), Kuala Lumpur (#12), Beijing (#13), Taipei (#14), and Hong Kong (#17). Beijing and Taipei were the biggest movers at the top of the table, gaining 18 and 12 spots respectively since the 2025 ranking and entering the top 20 for the first time.

“There has been significant movement among the top 20 cities,” says QS. “Now, 10 of the top 20 cities are in Asia Pacific, highlighting the region’s increased influence on global higher education.” As we see in the following chart, that total includes long-standing, high-profile destinations in the region, such as Melbourne and Sydney, but we also see rapid gains for other major centres, notably Taipei and Beijing. That movement up the ranking table reflects the strength of the higher education institutions in each city, but also that a number of these destinations are also scoring higher in the QS ranking for factors such as “student mix” (which reflects the proportion of the student population in each city compared to total population) and affordability.

On the important question of cost, QS adds that, “While the top cities excel in many of our indicators, affordability is a persistent challenge. Low affordability may lead to international students looking outside the big four destinations or staying in their home country. London’s declining affordability was a significant driver in it losing its top spot.” A related comment from echoes the point, noting that, “The cost of living in London remains a growing concern for prospective students. While the city continues to offer a wealth of academic and professional opportunities, rising rent, transport, and living costs have lessened its appeal relative to more affordable alternatives.”

The 2026 city rankings also reflect the growing strength – and ambition – of study destinations across Asia. Japan, for example hosted more than 336,000 students in 2024, growing 21% from the year before. South Korea’s foreign student population reached 208,000 in 2023 (24% growth year-over-year) against a national goal to attract 300,000 students by 2027. Taiwan welcomed 125,000 visiting students in 2024 but wants to reach 320,000 by 2030, and Malaysia aims to host 250,000 students as of this year.

For additional background, please see:

• “South Korea on track to attract thousands more international students within the decade“
• “Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe“
• “Global survey underscores demand shift from ‘Big Four’ to ‘Big Ten’“

The post Asian destinations show their strength in latest ranking of student cities appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea continue to attract greater interest, and each is recording significant gains in Q2 amidst continued policy disruption and/or visa delays in other major destinations.

Drawing on student search data from its web properties, Keystone reports that interest in these four “Asian Tiger” destinations grew by 19% between March and June 2025.

Within that broader trend:

• Student interest in Hong Kong grew by 125% quarter-over-quarter
• Singapore saw a 33% increase in search volumes over the same period, indicating, Keystone says, “the country’s successful efforts to brand itself as an affordable yet high-quality education destination”
• South Korea was also singled out in Keystone’s annual State of Student Recruitment Report, having entered the table of top ten destinations for the first time ever

“When combined, the four Asian Tigers are currently more popular amongst searching audience than Japan and China,” adds Keystone. “Data shows that the Asian Tigers are attracting students from across the Asia-Pacific region, with students from India most interested, followed by Indonesia.”

The growing popularity of these — and other — destinations in Asia, can be attributed to investment in higher education and in initiatives to promote regional mobility. Keystone adds, “Their location also offers easy access for Asia’s growing middle-class population seeking quality international education closer to home.”

In a related development, Keystone is also reporting strong growth in interest for destinations in the Middle East, and especially in the United Arab Emirates. Overall search volumes for the region were up 90% between March and June 2025, with the UAE accounting for about two-thirds of that surge. Of particular note to recruiters the world over, Indian students are the leading source of that Middle East-focused search traffic as well.

For additional background, please see:

• “New analysis forecasts international student mobility through 2030“
• “Global survey underscores demand shift from ‘Big Four’ to ‘Big Ten’“
• “Student mobility in MENA boosted by foreign partnerships and branch campuses“
• “Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe“
• “Closer to home: Intra-regional mobility in Asia“

The post Search data highlights surge in student interest in Asian and Middle Eastern destinations at mid-year appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Population: 23.4 million

Youth population: 9.8% aged 15–24, but the population is ageing

Youth unemployment rate: 11.71% (June 2025 estimate)

Currency: New Taiwan Dollar (NT$)

GDP: Nominal GDP = USD$788 billion in 2025; PPP GDP = USD$1.7 trillion

Main economic sectors: Semiconductors, technology and electronics, services, and manufacturing

Official language: Mandarin

Language of instruction: Mandarin, but Taiwan’s “Bilingual 2030” policy seeks to expand English-medium instruction at the primary and secondary levels

Tertiary enrolment: 1.09 million (as of 2023) but many universities in Taiwan are reporting declining enrolments due to the ageing population

Literacy rate: 98.5%

English-language proficiency: Low to moderate, with proficiency generally higher in Taipei

Religion: Buddhism, Taoism

Main student cities: Taipei, Taichung, Kaohsiung

Economy: Taiwan is in many respects a high-tech manufacturing economy. GDP growth is projected at 3.1% for 2025, reflecting a dampening outlook related to US tariff policies and other trade disruptions. Still, the projected growth for 2025 will outpace most other Asian economies, with the exceptions of China and India.

Taiwan is a well-established student sending market and has long played an important part in shaping global patterns of student mobility, especially with respect to major study destinations such as the United States, Australia, and Canada.

It is, however, a market in flux. The college-aged population is declining, to the point that a number of universities in Taiwan are reporting falling enrolments. In response, the government has moved to establish a national strategy to expand the country’s foreign enrolment to 320,000 students by 2030 (up from just over 123,000 students in 2024).

Taiwan is now taking steps to align its immigration policies and other supports with that long-term growth goal, and has a supporting target to see roughly two-thirds of foreign graduates staying on in the country to work after their studies.

The driving force behind those goals is the country’s rapidly ageing population. Taiwan has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, and demographers expect that, as of this year, Taiwan will be a “super-aged” society, with those aged 65 and older composing more than 20% of the population. This is, of course, high on the government’s radar already and it is going to be a major societal and economic challenge going forward, including for maintaining the enrolment base and current capacity of Taiwan’s higher education system.

Taiwan has some strengths to bring to bear, however, not the least of which is a resilient and growing economy. The island is home to a high-tech manufacturing economy, a noted centre for semi-conductor production among other text exports, and its GDP growth tends to outpace all regional neighbours, with the exception of China and India. The underlying strength of Taiwan’s economy is reflected across a range of economic indicators, including its recent elevation to 6th place – among 69 nations in the annual survey – in the .

A stable and growing outbound market

Taiwan has consistently been an important market in terms of outbound mobility, with students historically focused on major English-speaking destinations such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. As with many other sending markets, that focus is shifting a bit in recent years, with students showing more interest in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and other destinations in Europe and Asia.

In particular, the Philippines has emerged as an important destination for English language studies. Danny Chang is the president of the International Education Consultants Association (IECA), the peak body for Taiwanese agents, and also the general manager of the education agency Global Education Services. He explains: “The biggest language travel market is the Philippines. The number we expected is about 15,000 students in 2024 – ten years ago, we were never expected that this market will become the number one [choice] for language travel.” More broadly, the Philippines has emerged, both before and after the pandemic, as a key regional destination for English language study, offering not only proximity but lower study and travel costs for students coming from elsewhere in Asia.

Mr Chang notes as well the growing popularity of Canada for secondary school studies, while the US remains the top choice of students from Taiwan for undergraduate and post-graduate programmes. He also highlights Japan as a destination of growing importance, and especially for shorter-duration studies.

There is limited data on overall outbound volumes in the years after the pandemic, but Taiwan’s Ministry of Education reports that a total of 53,051 Taiwan students traveled abroad to study or work in 2022.

The Institute of International Education’s (IIE) indicates that there were 23,157 Taiwanese students in the United States in the 2023/24 academic year, a 6.1% increase over the previous year. Nearly a quarter of that total (24.1%) were enrolled in undergraduate programmes. Another 43.1% were in graduate studies, with 28.3% engaged in Optional Practical Training (OPT) placements.

That level of enrolment makes Taiwan the fifth-largest sending market for the US, after only India, China, South Korea, and Canada. It also means that the United States remains far and away the leading destination for students coming out of Taiwan.

Australia is the #2 destination for Taiwanese students. There were 11,480 students from Taiwan studying in Australia in 2024 – representing a nearly 18% increase from the year before and making Taiwan the 18th-largest sending market for Australian institutions and schools.

Meanwhile, Taiwan is also the seventh-largest sending market within Japan’s surging foreign student numbers, with year-over-year growth of 9.3% in 2024 and a total enrolment of 7,998.

Other destinations of note include:

• Canada, which hosted 5,080 students from Taiwan in 2024, up 4% over 2023.
• The United Kingdom, which enrolled 4,380 students from Taiwan in 2024, another 4% increase over the year before.
• There were 2,868 Taiwanese students in Germany in 2024, representing roughly a 3% increase on 2023 levels.

Add to those the roughly 15,000 language students in the Philippines and that would suggest the total outbound from Taiwan was 55,000 students (or more) in 2024. The steady growth from this traditional sending market is a factor the increasing recruitment efforts of a number of destinations, as outlined above, but it also reflects a persistent concern on the part of parents for the prospects of their children in Taiwan in terms of both the quality of higher education available and the career opportunities, the latter being especially relevant against a trend of high (and rising) youth unemployment.

Becoming a bilingual society

The US International Trade Administration (ITA) reports that, “In late 2018, Taiwan launched an initiative to become a bilingual English-Mandarin society by 2030, with a particular focus on K-12 students and civil service personnel. While English is the main foreign language taught in Taiwan schools, Taiwan’s Ministry of Education has identified oral proficiency as an area for improvement, relative to reading and writing.

Local regulations limit the number of foreign teachers in Taiwan’s public school system. Consequently, Taiwan sees online and education technology as a way to connect students with skilled bilingual educators. Simultaneously, Taiwan is increasing its budget to the public sector, schools, and libraries to improve the public’s English proficiency. To achieve its Bilingual 2030 plan, Taiwan allocated a total of US$361 million for the period 2021 to 2024. The leading focus areas by budget allocation are the K-12 sector (US$234.26 million) and the higher education sector (US$90.1 million).

Market entry

The ITA adds, “Partnering with local schools is an effective strategy for schools interested in recruiting Taiwan students to joint-degree or short-term summer programmes
Partnering with local student recruiting agents also provides year-round exposure in the Taiwan market. Recruiting agents are a primary resource used by Taiwan students and parents when planning study abroad activities.”

And finally: “Participation in education fairs is another effective method for recruiting Taiwan students. Fair organizers have a deep knowledge of the market and can greatly reduce marketing expenses. Local fair organisers also counsel students throughout the year and can follow up with prospective students.”

Notable education fairs in Taiwan include: the , the , and IDP Taiwan’s .

For additional background, please see:

• Attend to connect with quality student recruitment agencies from Taiwan, and for the latest market intelligence on this key sending market.

• “Taiwan is close to reaching its pre-pandemic benchmark for international enrolment“
• “Taiwan adds expanded post-study work rights to its international recruitment strategy“
• “Closer to home: Intra-regional mobility in Asia“

The post Recruiting in Taiwan: An established student market adapting to demographic change appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

The island nation boasts about 160 colleges and universities, three-quarters of which are private. QS put eight Taiwanese public universities into its .

One of those eight, National Taiwan Normal University (NNTU) – which is ranked 452nd globally by QS and which is world-renowned for its education programmes – hosted the most international students in 2024 (7,650). Next (with 6,250) was National Taiwan University, the highest ranked Taiwanese university and the only one placing in QS’s Top 100 in 2025 (#68).

China is still a priority market, but diversification is happening

Chinese students have traditionally been a key source of international students for Taiwan, but Taiwan’s universities are hosting ever-greater numbers of students from other Asian countries as well, including Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Taiwan offers a unique mix of benefits that are prioritised by Asian families:

‱ Lower cost of living than the Big Four
‱ Proximity
‱ Safety
‱ Strong university-industry linkages
‱ Education influenced by Western and Japanese academic models

reports that:

“Based on 2024 statistics, among the international students who studied in Taiwan and obtained valid employment permits, the top three nationalities are Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with students from these three countries accounting for 76% of the total, and this figure shows rapid growth compared to previous years.”

However, Taiwan is losing some market share in Malaysia to China, as China intensifies its reach and investment in Belt and Road countries. By 2024, 150 countries had participated in some way in China’s Belt and Road infrastructure and development projects, and for the first time, trade with those countries made up more than half of China’s total trade volume last year. Analysts see the massive initiative as a serious threat to Western influence around the world. The Belt and Road Initiative is especially significant at a time when the US, under President Trump, is rapidly pursuing an isolationist position with respect to foreign affairs.

A goal of attracting more international students

The government strategy most influential in guiding Taiwan’s internationalisation is the (NSP) established in 2016, which prioritises close ties with other Southeast Asian nations, Australia, and New Zealand.

As well as student exchange programmes and cooperation agreements between Taiwan and NSP countries, scholarships are a key part of the programme. The largest scholarship initiative is the offered by the Ministry of Education (MOE). These are available to international students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral studies. They cover most tuition and living fees, as well as airfare.

The most pressing reason that Taiwanese government wants to attract more international students is the country’s rapidly ageing population. Taiwan has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, and demographers expect that by 2025, Taiwan will be a “super-aged” society, with those aged 65 and older composing more than 20% of the population. This is, of course, high on the government’s radar already and it is going to be a major societal and economic challenge going forward.

The official government target for 2030 is to attract 320,000 international students to Taiwan. There is also a goal – with associated investment and visa policies – of seeing roughly two-thirds of foreign graduates (210,000) staying on in the country to work after graduation. The over 7% growth in foreign enrolments registered in 2024 is certainly a sign that there is momentum towards these goals.

For additional background, please see:

• “Taiwan adds expanded post-study work rights to its international recruitment strategy”
• “Taiwan ties new international recruitment goals to labour shortages”

The post Taiwan is close to reaching its pre-pandemic benchmark for international enrolment appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

International student mobility has historically been concentrated among the “Big Four” destinations of Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. Over the past few years, however, there has been a shift towards a wider field of study destinations. That change is being driven both by changing student preferences and by the strategic goals, demographics, and labour market needs of emerging destinations.

New research from INTO University Partnerships shows that prospective students are applying to more programmes than ever before – typically four or five – and to more institutions in more destinations than in previous years. This trend is projected to continue in the long term, and it means that institutions investing in enquiry responsiveness and admissions processing will see more applications converting into enrolments.

Students’ openness to alternatives reflects their changing priorities, including :

• Affordability;
• Fast visa processing;
• Geographic and cultural proximity;
• The expansion of English-taught degree programmes in non-English-speaking countries;
• Opportunities to work during and after studies in the host country.

At the same time, destinations such as Japan and South Korea are working more actively to recruit foreign students in part because of declining domestic populations of college-aged students and the related need to attract talent in key areas of local labour market demand.

“As international students seek to understand what return they can expect on their investments, we see that decisions across every major source market are increasingly based on cost,” says Peter Thompson, vice president of data analytics at INTO University Partnerships. For Jessica Turner, chief executive officer of QS, this creates a competitive point of differentiation for emerging study destinations: “In contrast to students seeking education in the Big Four, students setting their sights elsewhere tend to prioritise affordability over reputation and teaching credentials.”

Economic opportunities are a common draw

Dr Florian Hummel, vice-rector for international affairs at the International University of Applied Sciences (IU) in Germany, says, “The economy is one of the main reasons international students come to Germany. Our strong career prospects and clear post-study work rights are some of the reasons that a growing number of students from the Indian subcontinent are choosing to study at IU.”

A mix of factors drives choice

Cost of living influences many students, but more expensive destinations can still attract significant market segments by virtue of other attributes. Living costs in Japan are relatively high, for example, but Japan welcomed an additional 50,000 international students in 2023 compared to the year before.

More students are also taking sustainability, national sentiment toward international students, and mental health into account when making their decisions. These trends could already be contributing to increases in student mobility to destinations such as Germany, France, and Finland.

Pros and cons

Greater access to a more diverse range of study abroad opportunities is good news for students. But Mr Thompson cautions that higher volumes of applications can also pose a risk to the sector’s reputation globally. For one, administrative functions will be under more pressure. And students may also delay decisions as they hedge their bets across destinations. This means that, more than ever before, speedy and effective response to enquiries and applications will be absolutely key.

The race for foreign talent

Countries outside of the Big Four are seizing the opportunities of a changing international education landscape, with destinations across Asia and Europe growing in popularity. Ms Turner notes, for example, that the number of international students in China doubled over 10 years from 2013 and remains healthy despite declines in the pandemic. Further, with a healthy contingent of those students coming from other Asian countries, China continues to establish itself as an important player in intra-regional recruitment.

Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Taiwan are on upward trajectories as well, with Japan aiming to host 400,000 international students within the next decade. South Korea’s Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Lee Ju-ho declared last year that, “Now is the time to attract foreign talent strategically.”

In Germany, the government is the primary funder of the Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD). Recognising the long-term benefits of global collaboration and welcoming the brightest minds, the DAAD is the world’s largest funding organisation for international exchange of students and researchers. In China, the government issues tens of thousands of scholarships for international students each year and is investing in infrastructure through initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative.

More English-language programmes outside the Big Four

Edwin van Rest, chief executive officer of Studyportals, says, “The European Union’s decade of growth in this area is winding down. Now we are entering a decade of Asian expansion. South Asia has expanded its ETPs more than twofold since 2019. China, the Middle East and North Africa, and the rest of Asia have doubled their offerings. The Big Four are losing market share, dropping to 78% this year from 82% in 2021.”

That said, the English language is and will remain influential in Europe. Leaders such as Dr Hummel are investing in ETPs as part of their growth strategies. One of Germany’s largest universities, the IU, has approximately 200 programmes. Nearly half of those programmes are now offered in English or German.

Indeed, educators across Europe are buoyant. France and Germany each enrolled more than 400,000 students last year and international strategies in Spain are generating results. The prospects of European institutions beyond the UK are healthy overall: these destinations have become more attractive to international students from all major source countries in the last year. As we see in the table below, education agents report that interest in these European destinations has surged more than 90% among students from South Asia, and the Middle East and Africa.

Agents in China, Hong Kong, and Macau also report that interest in non-UK European institutions has increased nearly a quarter. However, these agents have seen even greater growth in the appeal of institutions in Southeast Asia and the rest of Asia.

Policy drives students to alternatives

Mr van Rest says that many students from sending countries that are the most affected by new policy settings in Big Four destinations are now looking elsewhere: “What they find are more attractive conditions in terms of work rights, affordability, and proximity.” This may partly account for the dramatic surge in interest in New Zealand and Ireland this year: student applications to these countries via QS increased 7.2-fold and 1.7-fold respectively, compared to last year.

Flexible delivery modes disperse demand

The appetite for new modes of higher education delivery models is reflected in expanded transnational education (TNE) activity, including regional hubs, remote delivery, and branch campuses. The UK dominates TNE, accounting for 75% of the market with around 580,000 students enrolled. Australia and the US are also key players, particularly in Asia and the Middle East. As a host country and as an education exporter, China is rapidly expanding its TNE offering and is becoming an increasingly influential player in the field.

Student mobility beyond the Big Four is being defined by strategies to deliver practical outcomes and relevant experiences. As the executive director and chief executive officer of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Dr Fanta Aw, says, “There is plenty of room in a growing space. We should be thinking about the 20 major countries instead of the Big Four, because students should have choices to get the best education that is right for them.”

For additional background, please see:

• “The view from here: How the ‘Big Four’ study destinations are adapting in a year of change”
• “European study destinations now offering thousands of English-taught degree programmes”
• “Recent policy changes slowing student interest in the UK, Canada, and Australia”

The post Beyond the Big Four: How demand for study abroad is shifting to destinations in Asia and Europe appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and South Korea have all set ambitious new international enrolment targets. These are:

• Japan: 400,000 by 2033
• Malaysia: 250,000 by 2025
• Taiwan: 320,000 by 2030
• South Korea: 300,000 by 2027

To date, this is the progress the four destinations have made:

• Japan: international enrolments as of May 2023 (+21% over 2022).

• Malaysia: Between 115,000 and 170,000 enrolments currently (estimates vary). Malaysia tends to report application volumes publicly rather than enrolment volumes. Looking at this measure, Malaysian institutions received 58,285 applications in 2023, a 14% increase over 2022 following a 28% increase the previous year. – especially East Asia (+22% over 2022).

• Taiwan: in 2023, representing a 90% recovery from foreign enrolment losses in the pandemic. Just over 6 in 10 (61%) of Taiwan’s international students are from “” (NSP) countries: Brunei Darussalam, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, Australia, and New Zealand.

• South Korea: as of June 2023 (+24% over 2022).

South Korea is thus approaching the volume of Japan’s current foreign enrolment as it adheres to a strategy known as the Study Korea 300K Project. That strategy aims to position South Korea as one of the world’s top 10 study abroad destinations by 2027.

The following table shows top markets for each of the four Asian destinations. It also demonstrates the large number of Vietnamese students opting to study in Asia as opposed to the West. For example, South Korea enrols more Vietnamese students than do Canada (17,175) and the US (21,900) combined.

How is South Korea working towards its goal?

Here are some of the tactics and policies at the heart of the Study Korea 300K Project:

• In 2023, the part-time work allowance for international students enrolled in language studies or bachelor’s programmes increased from 20 hours per week to 25 hours per week. Master’s and doctoral students can work 35 hours during the weekdays. All international students are permitted to work unlimited hours on weekends/holidays.

• Also in 2023, the financial requirement for international students to get a D-2 visa (for degree studies) was lowered from to 20 million won (just under US$15,400). Previously, the financial threshold had been US$20,000. In addition, degree-seeking international students applying to universities outside of the Seoul metropolitan area is lower still: 16 million won.

• In 2025, the South Korean government will allow international students to remain in the country for up to 3 years to look for a job; currently the allowance is 6 months with a possible extension to a maximum of 2 years.

• Also planned for next year: expanding the type of jobs for which international students can apply and extending the amount of time job holders can remain in the country. Currently, foreign graduates are eligible only for a limited number of visas that lead to specialist jobs.

• The government’s (GKS) programme is being expanded to double the number of scholarships available for STEM students (to 2,700). There are now also 6,000 scholarships for international students pursuing non-STEM degrees, up from about 4,500 last year.

• STEM graduates are to be fast-tracked for permanent residency, and graduate and postgraduate students graduating from Korean universities will see the residency requirement for their permanent residency application reduced from 6 to 3 years.

• Korean universities now accept a wider band of tests to prove Korean-language proficiency, and there is also a controversial proposal to lower the level required on the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) for international students. (Some academics are worried that this may reduce international students’ ability to succeed in their Korean-taught programmes.)

Too much ambition?

Some media outlets have reported on Korean academics’ concerns that the means being used to advance the Study Korea 300K Project – such as easing language requirements and pursuing a high rate of annual international enrolment growth – may put too much pressure on universities to support students well enough.

Song Ki-chang, emeritus professor of education administration at Sookmyung Women’s University, told last year that attracting international students by easing entrance conditions “can be effective to secure new student numbers but if their language proficiency is not enough the education cost for quality education may work as another financial burden (on universities).”

And earlier this year, upon news that the threshold for Korean universities to obtain certification in the International Education Quality Assurance System would be lowered, Jun Hyun Hong, professor of public policy at Chung-Ang University, : “I am concerned that pursuing a goal too aggressively may lead to the indiscriminate [recruitment] of international students, which has the potential to lower the quality of international students.”

However, the South Korean government is working to maintain quality standards. Following an annual evaluation of colleges and universities’ capacity and performance with respect to international students, it announced in February 2024 that it had stripped the right of 20 degree programmes and 20 language-training programmes to issue visas to international students for one year from the second semester of 2024. At the same time, it certified 14 more degree-granting institutions (to 134) for and 15 more language programmes (to 90) compared with 2023 based on the results of the evaluation.

Increasing supports for international students will be key

South Korea has historically had a reputation for being a tough market for international graduates to find a job in after their studies are completed. International students have had to jump through hoops to move from one visa category to the next to be able to remain in the country, all the while searching in what seems like a small proportion of jobs that international students can be hired for. reported in March 2024 that “
of 7,321 [international] students who graduated from universities or vocational colleges last year, only 8.2 percent got jobs in Korea, according to the Korea Educational Development Institute.”

Kumar Suraj, a 29-year-old Indian graduate student at Hanyang University’s Division of International Studies, was quoted in the last year, saying there is a “gap between education and employment”:

“Many foreign students find it hard to keep track of job openings that accept foreign applicants. They can look for employment opportunities through portal sites, but most recruitment posts are focused on hiring Koreans.”

reported in 2023 that “currently, the rate of settlement for foreign graduates of Korean universities is low compared to some other countries, with studies pointing to a lack of incentives to stay.”

The country is generally facing a serious issue of youth unemployment. Government data released in July 2024 indicate that “the number of South Koreans without a job or seeking a job marked an all-time high in the first half of this year.”

The South Korean government knows very well that the country is competing with other ambitious Asian destinations that are working hard at increasing their retention of international students. For example:

• Japan has a target of enrolling 60% of international student graduates by 2033. This year, the Japanese government announced that foreign graduates of vocational schools and colleges – not just universities – can now look for a job after completing their studies without having to find work in a job/industry related to their field of study.

• Hong Kong extended students’ post-graduation stay allowance to 2 years in 2022, and Taiwan followed suit in 2024.

• Malaysia has also had a reputation for being a difficult job market to crack for international students. This year, it introduced the “Social Visit Pass” which allows graduates of Malaysian degree programmes from a list of eligible countries to remain in Malaysia for up to a year to look for employment. Eligible countries are Australia, New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Switzerland, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, United States, Oman, and Bahrain.

South Korea’s plans to (1) extend the duration of the job-seekers permit, (2) expand the type of jobs for which international students can apply, and (3) extend the amount of time job holders can remain in the country are to be put into effect in 2025.

For additional background, please see:

• “South Korea announces results of annual evaluation of universities and colleges’ international programmes”
• “South Korea aims to attract 300,000 international students by 2027”

The post South Korea on track to attract thousands more international students within the decade appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.

The government has put aside a budget of NT$5.2 billion (US$166 million) for the effort, which is meant to focus on recruitment for critical skill areas in technology sectors such as semiconductors. Taiwan further hopes that roughly two-thirds of foreign graduates (210,000) will stay on in the country to work after graduation.

That additional budget will be used to fund 10 regional student recruitment centres in key Asian student markets including Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines. It will also support expanded scholarship programmes and improved student services.

And now Taiwan has taken steps to expand post-study work rights for visiting students. As of 1 January 2024, the Minister of Interior is offering foreign graduates of a Taiwanese university a streamlined process for obtaining a one-year residency extension for purposes of seeking employment after their studies. Graduates will have an option to stay on for a second year as well.

This effectively doubles the previous job-seeking period allowed for foreign graduates. At the same time, Taiwan has also eased its visa process for new students, extending the period for the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) from the previous one year to a new maximum of three years. This means that foreign students no longer need to renew their ARCs annually.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education pegged the country’s foreign enrolment at nearly 130,000 students prior to the pandemic.

For additional background, please see:

• “Taiwan ties new international recruitment goals to labour shortages“
• “Taiwan’s foreign enrolment getting a boost from Southeast Asia“

The post Taiwan adds expanded post-study work rights to its international recruitment strategy appeared first on șÚÁÏčÙÍű Monitor - Market intelligence for international student recruitment.