Clampdowns on international student visas across some of the biggest higher education markets are having a clear impact on recruitment, according to a new report.
The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey, conducted by Studyportals, found that 41 percent of institutions reported fewer international postgraduate students in this year’s intake compared to 2023; whereas 31 percent reported a higher intake of international postgraduate students.
The survey, which recorded data from 365 institutions across 66 countries, showed enrollment fell by an average of 27 percent in Canada, 18 percent in the U.K. and 6 percent in the U.S. African countries reported no change, Asian countries a 4 percent fall, and other European countries a 2 percent increase.
The report, produced in partnership with NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Oxford Test of English, also showed that 31 percent of providers took in fewer overseas learners at undergraduate level.
The report urges universities to “push back against restrictive policies” through collective, data-informed advocacy.
“The survey results affirm that government policies factor into student choices, by either facilitating or hindering access, and should not be underestimated,” said Fanta Aw, chief executive of NAFSA.
“Furthermore, the survey not surprisingly shows that affordability, accommodations and language proficiency in key destinations affect student mobility and must be considered as core elements of student support.”
The survey found that half of the responding institutions globally cited restrictive government policies or problems obtaining a student visa as a significant issue.
But those in Anglophone countries were more affected, with 93 percent of universities in Canada, 61 percent in the U.K. and 58 percent in the U.S. reporting problems.
In the last year, the governments of Canada and the U.K. have introduced restrictions on international students, while applicants have also told of lengthy delays to obtain U.S. study visas. Australia, which has also limited its overseas intake, was not included in the survey results.
“Usually, when some destinations face challenges, we see alternatives benefit as students shift their plans,” said Edwin van Rest, chief executive of Studyportals.
“However, the broader drop in postgraduate enrollments in particular suggests that many discouraged students are not simply changing destinations but are instead delaying or even canceling their study plans altogether.”
He said students who were discouraged from going to Canada, the U.K. or Australia in 2024 often struggled to find what they are looking for in alternative destinations.
To cope with these challenges, respondents identified diversification into new markets as the most anticipated strategy, while almost a third of them said more aggressive enrollment goals will be very likely in the next year.
Along with the effects of what has been dubbed the “great policy backlash,” the survey also revealed the impact of financial concerns across the world—particularly in Canada.
In Canada, 40 percent of institutions anticipated large changes to degree programs, 60 percent thought budget cuts were very likely to occur over the next 12 months and 27 percent expected staffing cuts.
