Douglas Olsen
International students are defined as those who have crossed borders for educational purposes, usually for tertiary degrees. In 2022, there were 6.9 million international students worldwide, a 276% increase over the past two decades. The US is a top destination, with over a million international students in 2022-23, a 12% increase from the previous year. International students are attractive to US institutions because they bring new perspectives, are academically prepared, and pay full tuition. However, the pandemic and global tensions have impacted international student enrollment in the US, with a 22% decline in NAIS schools between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022. While some international students face challenges in adapting to US workplace culture and labor laws, they are sought after in tech fields, with companies sponsoring permanent residence for graduates in STEM and business fields.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition of international students | Individuals who have physically crossed an international border between two countries with the objective to participate in educational activities in the country of destination, where the country of destination is different from their country of origin |
| Number of international students globally | 6.9 million in 2022, a 276% increase over the past two decades |
| Top destination countries | United States, China |
| Top subjects for international students | Math and computer science, engineering, business and management, social sciences, physical and life sciences, fine and applied arts |
| Industries sponsoring foreign students for permanent residence in the US | Professional, scientific, and technical services; manufacturing; retail trade |
| Challenges faced by international students in the US | Cultural and communication barriers, economic conditions and competition, navigating labor laws |
| Probability of meeting an international student | 1 in 12 |
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What You'll Learn
- International students' definitions vary across organisations
- International students face challenges in securing employment in the US
- International students in the US: enrolment trends
- International students in the US: visa application challenges
- International students in the US: popular fields of study
International students' definitions vary across organisations
The number of international students is increasing, with an estimated 6.9 million international students worldwide in 2022, up from 2.5 million in 2002. The top three destination countries for international students are the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. China is also a popular destination, with 492,185 international students in 2018, and is the leading destination for Anglophone African students.
While there is an agreed-upon definition of "internationally mobile students" by UIS (UNESCO Institute of Statistics), OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), and EUROSTAT (since 2015), definitions of "foreign student" and "international student" vary across countries and organisations. This variation in definitions makes statistical comparisons difficult and often inaccurate or misleading.
In the United States, an international student is defined as an individual studying on a non-immigrant, temporary visa for academic study at the post-secondary level. Most international students in the US hold an F1 Visa. The US maintains the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) database, which contains detailed records of international student visas.
In Europe, students from countries within the European Union can take part in the Erasmus Programme, a student exchange program that allows them to study in other countries under a government agreement. Citizenship or lack thereof is often used as a defining characteristic of an internationally mobile student, especially for data from European Union and OECD countries.
In the United Kingdom, the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) defines a foreign student based on citizenship rather than residency. This change in methodology resulted in a significant increase in the reported number of foreign students studying in British universities.
In Australia, an international student is defined as someone who is not an Australian citizen, permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent resident humanitarian visa. Meanwhile, in Japan, an international student is a student from a foreign economy receiving an education at any Japanese university or college and residing in Japan with a 'college student' visa status.
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International students face challenges in securing employment in the US
International students face several challenges in securing employment in the United States. Firstly, visa restrictions and limited work visa availability present significant obstacles. The H-1B visa, for instance, has an annual cap of 85,000, and the lottery system used to allocate these visas does not guarantee that qualified applicants will receive one. Additionally, employer reluctance to sponsor visas due to complexities and costs further reduces job opportunities for international students.
Cultural and communication barriers also play a role in the challenges faced by international students seeking employment in the US. Language barriers, in particular, can make it difficult for students to effectively convey their ideas and skills to potential employers. This can be especially challenging for international students in abstract or complex fields.
The competitive US job market poses another challenge for international students. With increased competition and selectivity from employers, even students from top universities with strong academic records and prior work experience may struggle to secure interviews and job offers. The recent increase in job cuts and changes in hiring policies for international candidates have further intensified the competition for available positions.
Furthermore, international students often face unique challenges such as homesickness and culture shock, which can impact their job search process. Additionally, the OPT program, which allows international students to work in the US for a limited duration, has faced scrutiny and controversy. Critics argue that it provides unfair competition for American job seekers and does not require participants to pay taxes for Medicare and Social Security.
While the number of international students in the US increased by 12% in 2022-23, with over one million foreign students enrolling annually, the challenges they face in securing employment remain significant. These students contribute greatly to the US economy and campus diversity, yet they must navigate additional hurdles compared to domestic candidates.
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International students in the US: enrolment trends
International students are an attractive prospect for US institutions for several reasons. Firstly, they bring new perspectives to campuses and are generally well-prepared for academic success. Secondly, they often pay the full cost of tuition, making them a lucrative source of revenue for universities. This is particularly important for public universities that have experienced declines in state funding.
In the 2023-24 academic year, the United States hosted a record number of international students, exceeding 1.1 million. This figure represents 5.9% of the total US student population. This number includes 298,705 new international students, matching the total number of new international students in the previous year and reaching pre-pandemic levels. India and China are the two largest sources of international students, making up over half of the total. Specifically, India sent 331,602 students, while China sent 277,398. Other countries that experienced strong growth include Bangladesh, Colombia, Ghana, Italy, Nepal, Pakistan, and Spain. Sub-Saharan Africa had the highest growth rate among all world regions for the second consecutive year, building on an 18% increase in 2022-23.
The majority of international students in the US major in STEM fields. Math and computer science are the most popular fields of study, with just over 240,000 international students (23%) pursuing these subjects. More than 202,000 students (19%) studied engineering, while other popular fields include business and management (15%), social sciences (8%), physical and life sciences (8%), and fine and applied arts (5%).
Despite the overall increase in international students in the US, there are concerns about the potential decline in enrollment due to visa restrictions and political tensions. The Trump administration's cuts to federally funded research and aggressive immigration enforcement have already led to a decrease in international students from China, with similar concerns regarding Indian students. Universities with high numbers of international students, such as Harvard, NYU, Johns Hopkins, Columbia, and Carnegie Mellon, are particularly vulnerable to these changes. A decline in international students could have significant financial consequences for universities and disrupt classrooms, research, and the future workforce in the United States.
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International students in the US: visa application challenges
International students contribute significantly to the US economy and education system. In 2022, there were an estimated 6.9 million international students globally, a 276% increase over the past two decades. The US is a prominent destination for international students, with over one million international students studying in the country in 2022/23. This number reflects a strong rebound, approaching pre-pandemic levels.
However, international students seeking to study in the US face several visa application challenges. Firstly, the pandemic significantly impacted the enrollment of foreign students, as borders were closed, and visa applications were backlogged. This resulted in a decline in international student enrollment, particularly from China and Asia. While there has been an increase in students from the Americas, enrollment from other regions has yet to fully recover.
The Trump administration's policies have also created challenges for international students seeking US visas. The administration ordered US embassies to stop scheduling visa interviews and implement comprehensive social media screening for all international applicants. These directives delayed visa processing and created confusion among international students. Additionally, the revocation of F-1 study visas and cancellation of SEVIS status for many students further deterred international students.
Currently, US authorities have paused the issuance of new appointment slots for student visa applicants, and there is no official date for when this pause will be lifted. International students must navigate heightened social media scrutiny, harsher vetting processes, and potential program suspensions at flagship institutions. Experts advise students to start early, stay informed, and build a robust application portfolio that demonstrates purpose, transparency, and adaptability.
Moreover, global inflation, heightened geopolitical tensions, safety concerns, discrimination, and increased competition from other countries' private schools are additional factors impacting the decision-making of families considering an education in the US for their children. These challenges create a dynamic and complex environment for international students seeking to study in the US, requiring them to be strategic and vigilant in their visa application process.
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International students in the US: popular fields of study
The United States is a popular destination for international students, hosting over 1.1 million international students from more than 210 countries in the 2023/2024 academic year. International students contribute significantly to the US economy, with a 2015 study finding that they contributed $9 billion to public universities, accounting for 28% of their total revenue. The popularity of the US as a study destination is due to several factors, including its ability to attract top talent, the availability of Optional Practical Training (OPT), and the diverse range of fields of study offered.
International students in the US are drawn to a variety of fields, with the majority opting for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) disciplines. According to the Open Doors 2024 report, 56% of international students enrolled in STEM fields during the 2023-24 academic year. At the undergraduate level, business and management courses are the top choices, followed by math and computer science, and engineering. Social sciences and physical and life sciences also attract a significant number of international students.
Graduate students, on the other hand, exhibit a stronger preference for tech-driven disciplines. Math and computer science are the most popular among graduate students, with 29% enrollment. Engineering is also a popular choice at this level, with 21% of international graduate students pursuing degrees in this field. Business and management attract 12% of graduate students, while physical and life sciences, and social sciences are less popular at this level.
The specific fields of study chosen by international students can vary depending on their place of origin. Additionally, the availability of online learning options has provided international students with greater flexibility, allowing them to obtain a US degree without having to leave their home country.
Overall, the US attracts international students across a diverse range of fields, with STEM disciplines, business, and management being the most prominent choices. The popularity of these fields reflects the high demand for tech-driven and innovation-focused academic programs among international students, as well as the US's position as a global leader in technology and innovation.
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Frequently asked questions
An international student is someone who has crossed an international border with the intention of participating in educational activities in the country they have travelled to.
In 2022, there were approximately 6.9 million international students worldwide, a 276% increase over the past two decades.
In 2022-23, there were 1,057,188 international students in the US, a 12% increase from the previous year. However, the number of international students in independent schools has decreased.
International students who hold non-resident visas usually arrive and stay in their destination country independently.
