New Visa Regulations Prompt International Students to Explore Diverse Study Destinations

A recent survey by IDP Education reveals a significant shift in international students' preferences, with an increasing number considering a wider array of study destinations amid changing visa regulations.

Key Highlights:

New research indicates that international students are expanding their application horizons.
Canada has experienced a notable decline in student interest over the past year.

The latest findings from IDP Education’s Emerging Futures Survey, conducted between August 20 and September 16, 2024, with over 6,000 student respondents from 114 countries, demonstrate that Australia, the UK, and especially Canada are losing their appeal to international students. In contrast, the United States and alternative destinations are gaining traction. This round of research marks the sixth iteration of IDP's ongoing Emerging Futures initiative, which has been monitoring trends since March 2022.

Student Demographics

The survey primarily targeted prospective students, with over half at the postgraduate level and 27% at the undergraduate level. The most represented markets were India and China, followed by the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nigeria, Nepal, Indonesia, Ghana, and Vietnam.

Destination Preferences

Australia remains the preferred choice for 24% of students, closely followed by the US at 23% and the UK at 21%. However, Canada has dropped to fourth place with only 16% of student interest, a decrease of nine percentage points since August 2023. While Australia has lost ground among prospective students, it has retained its appeal for those who have already applied. Conversely, Canada is facing challenges from both prospective applicants and those who have already submitted applications, largely due to visa delays and uncertainties surrounding policies. Interestingly, 11% of students are now considering “other destinations,” reflecting a six-percentage-point increase from the previous survey. This trend aligns with additional research highlighting students' willingness to explore various options, as presented at the recent ICEF Monitor Global Summit.

Factors Influencing Choices

A significant majority of students identified post-study work opportunities as the leading factor in their decision-making process. Other important considerations included pathways to permanent residency (43%), financial requirements for visas (42%), and student visa fees (41%). Additionally, over a quarter of respondents expressed interest in dependants' rights when selecting a study destination. Recent policy changes that have influenced international student mobility include:

Australia increased proof-of-savings requirements to USD 19,535.
Canada raised its savings requirement to USD 14,945.
A 125% hike in Australia’s visa application fee to USD 1,070.
The UK limits families' rights to accompany international students unless they are enrolled in specific postgraduate programs.
France extended the residency requirement for bringing dependents to 24 months.
Canada revoking the right for partners of undergraduate students to obtain open work permits.

Despite these challenges, Germany is emerging as a more appealing destination, even after raising its savings requirement to USD 12,875—still lower than the thresholds set by Australia and Canada.

A Broadening Perspective

The survey indicates that 66% of respondents are considering multiple destinations, with nearly half open to at least three options. Students are evaluating their choices carefully and are prepared to switch destinations based on factors such as post-study work opportunities, affordability, and visa flexibility. While some students (3%) reported postponing their study abroad plans due to high tuition and living costs, IDP notes that nearly half of this group is likely to apply in the next few years.

The US Advantage

Survey participants rated the US more favourably than Australia, Canada, the UK, and New Zealand in terms of educational quality, value for money, and graduate employment prospects. However, the potential impact of the upcoming US election could alter these perceptions, with only 35% of respondents indicating that it might influence their decision-making.

Informed Choices

The landscape of international student mobility has evolved significantly over the past decade. Students today are more discerning, conducting extensive research to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of various destinations. As institutions and governments respond to these shifting dynamics, they must recognize that students will change their study plans based on their priorities, budgets, and long-term goals.