**New International Education Policies Impact Student Interest in Australia, Canada, and the UK, Reports Suggest**
Recent policy changes in international education are reshaping student preferences, particularly affecting demand in the UK, Canada, and Australia. According to insights from ICEF Monitor, an online resource for international education market research, interest in Canada and Australia, notably among Indian students, has waned. The findings stem from research conducted by the International Development Programme (IDP), titled “The Voice of the International Student.”
IDP’s survey, conducted in January 2024 across 67 countries with 2,500 student participants, indicates a significant reevaluation of studying in the UK, Canada, and Australia. Conversely, the United States is witnessing a surge in popularity among students.
The survey reveals that nearly half of the respondents (49%) are uncertain or reconsidering studying in the UK, while similar hesitations are observed for Australia (47%) and Canada (43%).
The ICEF Monitor report notes that the new international education regulations in these countries align with governmental efforts to better regulate immigration. In Canada and Australia, these regulations aim to curb fraudulent schools and agents while enhancing education quality for international students.
A separate report by Studyportals, an online platform offering academic resources and information on international programs, highlights a drastic decline in prospective student demand for Canada in 2023, alongside a notable uptick in interest in the US.
Data from Studyportals indicates a 40% drop in demand from India between February 2023 and January 2024. Visa processing delays stemming from a diplomatic rift between Canada and India last year contributed to this decline, among other factors.
Until the close of 2023, Canada and Australia actively encouraged international student enrollment in their universities. However, in mid-2023, the UK government altered its stance, announcing that most international students would no longer be permitted to bring family members with them starting January 2024.
Furthermore, IDP’s research highlights the US as the most appealing alternative for students reconsidering their study plans in the UK, Australia, or Canada. Additionally, Italy has seen a notable increase in popularity among international students, according to the ICEF Monitor report.
