New Global Education Policies Affect Study Abroad Interest in Australia, Canada, and UK.
New, restrictive international student policies in the UK, Canada, and Australia are already influencing prospective students’ decisions about where to study abroad, according to recent research. IDP’s "The Voice of the International Student" survey, conducted in January 2024, polled 2,500 students across 67 countries. The findings reveal that many students are reconsidering plans to study in these countries, with the US emerging as a more attractive option for some. Similarly, Studyportals’ research, published in February 2024, highlights a notable decline in demand for Canada, especially compared to the growing interest in the US and Italy. Interest in the Netherlands has also risen, though it may decline due to potential reductions in international student numbers.
According to IDP’s survey, 49% of prospective students are unsure about studying in the UK, 47% in Australia, and 43% in Canada. Simon Emmett, CEO of IDP Connect, noted that these results underscore how students are closely monitoring policy changes in their chosen destinations. "This latest pulse survey highlights that international students are highly attuned to the ongoing discussions regarding policy changes, and that this is impacting the standing of the top global study destinations at a time when competition between destination countries is at an all-time high."
Students are seeking certainty in their study abroad decisions, and policy changes are creating uncertainty. Emmett further explained, "Our latest survey has identified that changing policy, regulations and restrictions are impacting the dynamics of student movement, with students open to changing their preferred study location. For a prospective international student, choosing to study overseas is one of the most important decisions of their lives and they want certainty when making these decisions."
New policies in the UK, Canada, and Australia are largely driven by efforts to control immigration more strictly, while also addressing concerns around unregulated institutions and quality control in the international education sector. In the UK, a significant policy shift occurred in mid-2023 when the Home Office and Department of Education announced that, starting in January 2024, most international students would no longer be allowed to bring dependents with them. These changes align with broader immigration control measures in the country.
In Canada, the government’s international student policies have been shifting, with a noticeable decline in demand for study in British Columbia, the second-largest international student hub in the country. Data from Studyportals reveals a 40% drop in demand from India, partly attributed to ongoing diplomatic tensions between Canada and India, as well as visa processing delays. Experts at the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) conference in late 2023 highlighted a diminishing sense of prestige around studying in Canada, especially compared to the UK or US.
Kim Loeb, Executive Director of Professional Applied and Continuing Education at the University of Winnipeg (PACE), shared a perspective on Canada’s situation, stating, “While this announcement came without warning, all we can do is remain calm, as those 'bad players' will be forced to change and those who were already providing housing supports and wrap-around services for students need to just keep doing what they are doing. We have our current students to support, so they cannot get lost in the shuffle."
Loeb further emphasized the importance of clear communication, saying, "Canadian schools need to send a loud and clear message that we are still open to international students, and graduates from public institutions are still eligible for the PGWP. We still need to be in the market explaining the situation, and that Canada is still open but no longer wide open, and some areas like Toronto and Vancouver will have less spots."
Despite the challenges facing Canada, US graduate programs appear to be largely unaffected by the policy shifts in Canada and Australia, and in some cases, may even benefit from the changes. The Studyportals research shows a steady increase in demand for graduate programs in the US, especially in PhD and master’s courses.
As global competition for international students intensifies, governments in these key study destinations will need to carefully balance their immigration policies with their broader educational objectives.
