How policies in popular countries are redirecting students towards alternative options

Recently, most traditional destination markets have introduced changes to their international education policies, which have impacted international student sentiment and mobility. This article explores how policy changes in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia are redirecting students towards alternative education markets.

United Kingdom
Since 2019, the UK has experienced exponential growth in international student numbers. Following a policy shift and greater focus on net migration figures in the final year of the previous UK Government, this did begin to slow. In the year ending March 2024, over 446,000 study visas were granted to main applicants in the UK, marking a 6.2% decrease from the previous year. Restrictions introduced in January 2024 mean that most international students are no longer able to bring dependents with them. This policy, alongside less welcoming rhetoric from the previous Government, are largely thought to have contributed to the decline in international student numbers this year.


On 4th July 2024, a new Government led by Sir Keir Starmer was elected, welcomed by universities committed to growing their international student numbers. The new Government prioritizes economic growth, with international students playing a major role, especially with the continuation of the Graduate Route, allowing international students to work for two years after completing their studies.

Canada
Canada has updated its International Student Program, including a temporary two-year cap on study permits for incoming international students, except for Master's, PhD, and K-12 students, as well as current permit holders. The minimum financial requirement for study permit applications increased to C$20,635, reflecting the rising cost of living. From May 15, 2024, the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program is unavailable to new students at public-private partnership (PPP) institutions.

These policy changes have affected study permit processing, with IRCC approving more than 76,000 of 152,000 post-secondary study permits between January and April 2024. This 50% approval rate is lower than previous years, and processing delays have increased. Despite these changes, job vacancies in Canada remain high, particularly in healthcare, which has seen a 78% increase in job openings since 2019. The Canadian labour market is expected to grow by 15% between 2021 and 2031, with strong demand in healthcare, professional services, and Management.

Healthcare programs, such as Caregiving, Nursing, and Early Childhood Education, attract many student applications. Provinces like Saskatchewan and Alberta offer favorable conditions for students. Choosing co-op-oriented programs can enhance employability upon graduation.

Australia
In December 2023, Australia unveiled its Migration Strategy, followed by the Genuine Student requirement in March 2024, aiming to limit international student intake after record inflows in 2022-23. Policy updates include new visa requirements, accepted English-language tests, and a proposed soft cap on international student numbers. Additionally, the international student visa fee increased from A$710 to A$1,600 as of July 1, making it more expensive than in competing countries. While it is too soon to measure the full impact of these changes, initial reactions fro students and the education sector indicate strong negative sentiment.

Impact of Policy Changes
The new international education policies in these countries align with their respective governments' efforts to more actively regulate immigration. In Canada and Australia, these policies also aim to crack down on dishonest institutions and agents, while enhancing compliance throughout the international education sector. These changes have contributed to downward trends in international student enrollments in these countries, and an increased focus in more specialized, employment-linked courses in these countries while driving interest in alternative study abroad destinations.

Emerging Destinations
Countries in Asia and Europe are becoming increasingly popular among international students.

ApplyBoard’s latest Recruitment Partner (RP) Pulse Survey shows Germany’s rising popularity, with almost 50% of respondents finding it an attractive destination. Ireland also saw major growth, with international enrollment reaching a new high in 2022/23, a 12% increase over the previous year.

Over 40% of respondents to the Spring 2024 Student Pulse Survey are considering destinations beyond major Anglophone markets. Countries like the Netherlands, Singapore, and Malaysia are heavily investing in their education sectors to attract international students, offering English-taught programs and partnerships with globally renowned universities.

Overall, shifts in international education policies in the UK, Canada, and Australia are pushing students to explore alternative markets, reshaping the global education landscape and the future of student mobility.

(Saif Iqbal is the Vice President at ApplyBoard)

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