Janice Lozano
International students are an important aspect of the higher education landscape, with the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia being popular host countries. In 2022, the US hosted around 950,000 international students, while the UK and Canada welcomed over 630,000 and 550,000 students, respectively. Australia had the highest ratio of international students per capita in 2020, with 775,475 international students enrolled. The US has historically been the top destination, but increasing competition from East Asian countries like China, Japan, and Korea, offering affordable, high-quality education, has provided students with alternative options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students in the US in 2023/24 | 1,126,690 |
| International students in the US in 2022/23 | 858,395 |
| International students in the US in 2021/22 | 883,908 |
| Percentage of international students in Australian universities in 2019 | 27% |
| Fee income from international students in the UK in 2023/24 | £12.1 billion |
| Number of student visas granted in the UK in 2022 | 484,000 |
| Number of student visas granted in the UK in 2023 | 5% less than 2022 |
| Number of student visas granted in the UK in 2024 | 14% less than 2023 |
| Leading source of international students in the US | China |
| Percentage of international enrolments in the US from India and China combined | 54% |
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What You'll Learn
International students in the US
International students have long been a feature of the US higher education system, with numbers rising year on year. The US welcomed over 1.1 million international students in 2023/2024, an all-time high and a 7% increase from the previous academic year. The majority of these students came from Asia, with India and China making up over half of the total international student population in the US.
International students are drawn to the US by its reputation for quality education. The US higher education system is also attractive to students from wealthy and middle-class backgrounds, who can afford the expense of visas and education. The US government actively encourages international students through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), which builds relations between the US and other countries through academic, cultural, sports and professional exchanges. The ECA sponsors several programs to support international students, including the Fulbright Program and the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships.
International students are of great benefit to the US economy, contributing $43.8 billion during the 2023-24 academic year. This is largely through tuition fees, which are often higher for international students, particularly at public universities where they do not qualify for in-state rates. International students also contribute through living expenses, spending on housing, food, transportation, health insurance and other personal needs. This spending supports local businesses and drives economic activity in sectors such as real estate and retail.
International students are spread across the US, with California, New York and Texas hosting the most. New York University has consistently been the top university for international students, with close to 30,000 international students in 2023-24.
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$141.78
International students in the UK
The UK attracts a large number of international students each year due to its high-quality education, multicultural experience, excellent English language learning environment, rich employment opportunities, and policy support. The UK is home to some of the world's most famous universities, such as Oxford, Cambridge, and Imperial College London, which offer rigorous academic programmes and a well-developed education system. International students can access top-notch teaching resources, including libraries, laboratories, and online materials. The UK's multicultural society also provides students with a valuable cultural exchange, helping them broaden their horizons and improve their cross-cultural communication skills.
Additionally, the UK's language centres and courses offer international students the opportunity to enhance their English language proficiency. The country's economically developed status and strong presence of renowned companies and organisations mean that international students can gain valuable internships and job opportunities. The UK government also provides policy support, including work visas and scholarships, making the country an attractive destination for international students seeking to build their careers.
However, recent developments in the UK's job market have impacted international students' prospects. Unemployment has risen to 4.6%, and payroll positions have significantly declined. International students face increased competition for jobs and visa sponsorships, as companies become more reluctant to hire individuals requiring visa sponsorship due to rising financial pressures and employer costs. The challenge is further exacerbated by slowing pay growth, making it difficult for graduates to cover rising living expenses, especially in cities.
Prospective international students considering the UK for their studies may need to carefully evaluate their options in light of the evolving job market. While the UK has long been viewed as a launchpad for global careers, the current economic climate may require graduates to adopt diversified job strategies and explore sectors beyond their initial aspirations.
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International students in Australia
International students are a significant part of the student body in Australia. In 2017, there were 799,371 international students enrolled in Australian education programs, with 350,472 in the higher education sector, followed by the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) sector, and the schools sector. The largest number of enrolments in the higher education sector came from China, India, and Nepal, while the largest in the VET sector were from India, China, and South Korea.
Australia's popularity as a study destination for international students has continued to grow. It is now the world's largest education provider per capita and has the highest ratio of international students per head of population. By the end of 2024, there were over 1 million international students enrolled, a 13% annual increase. This rise has been attributed partly to the Trump administration's stance on international students in the US, which has caused a shift in preference for many prospective international students.
Australian universities favour international students as they pay fees upfront, unlike local students, who pay off their degrees over time. International students are also often seeking work visas, providing a lucrative revenue stream for universities. However, this has led to concerns about the potential for a “dumping ground” of international students in Australia, with a negative impact on places for domestic students.
To address these concerns, the re-elected Labor government has proposed reforms to focus on quality over quantity. These include tightening English-language proficiency criteria, increasing financial requirements, limiting work hours for overseas students, and closing down sham private colleges.
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Glocal students
International education is a significant sector, with students seeking global education at local costs, often referred to as "glocal" students. The US, UK, Australia, and China are key destinations for these students, with China being the leading source of international students, particularly in the US. In 2023/24, there were 1,126,690 international students in the US, with China and India accounting for 54% of total international enrolments. This trend is set to continue, with F-1 visas granted to students from China, Nepal, Myanmar, Vietnam, Ghana, and Pakistan rising in 2023. The US is well-positioned to attract international students, with other destinations such as Canada, Australia, and the UK becoming less attractive due to policy shifts.
The UK has also been a popular destination for international students, reaching its 2030 recruitment target of 600,000 students in 2020. However, there are signs that international student numbers may be slowing, with a fall in student visas granted in 2023 and 2024. Australia is another key destination, with international students representing 27% of university student bodies in 2019. China is also an attractive destination, offering world-class universities, research opportunities, and relatively low costs.
To cater to the needs of glocal students, universities are adopting new strategies, such as opening international branch campuses to overcome physical distance limitations and widen their global outreach. This trend is particularly notable among US universities, which have established branch campuses in foreign countries to attract international students. Glocal students also seek transnational or cross-border education, allowing them to obtain foreign credentials while staying in their home countries. This demand for global education at local costs is shaping the landscape of international education, with destinations and institutions adapting to remain competitive in attracting glocal students.
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China: the leading source of international students
International students are defined as "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 of a given student is different from their country of origin". In 2022, there were an estimated 6.9 million international students globally, a 276% increase over the past two decades. This number is projected to reach 6.9 million by 2030, a 51% increase from 2015.
Traditionally, the US and UK have been the most popular destinations for international students. In the 2023/24 academic year, the US hosted an all-time high of more than 1.1 million international students. The UK has also been a popular destination, with 679,970 international students in 2021-22, and 732,285 in 2023/24. However, other countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and European countries are also seeing substantial increases in international students.
China has emerged as a leading source of international students in recent years. In 2021-22, Chinese students made up the largest group of international students in the UK, with 151,690 students. China was the second-leading place of origin for international students in the US in 2023/24, with 277,398 students, a 4% decline from the previous year. As of July 2023, there were approximately 152,000 Chinese international students enrolled in Australia, contributing significantly to the over 710,000 international students in the country.
There are several factors that make China a prominent source of international students. Firstly, China has a large population base, providing a significant pool of potential students. Secondly, China has invested significantly in education, boasting numerous world-class universities and attractive research centers. Chinese universities offer a diverse range of programs, with many graduate and postgraduate courses taught in English. Additionally, the Chinese government provides a substantial number of scholarships, which further encourages international students to pursue their education in China. China's growing economic strength also translates into more career opportunities for graduates, making it an attractive destination for international students seeking long-term prospects.
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Frequently asked questions
There were over 6 million international students worldwide in 2021.
There were over 1 million international students in Canada in 2023, a 29% increase from 2022. Ontario hosted more than half of these students.
There were over 1.1 million international students in the US in 2023, a 7% increase from 2022. California, New York, and Texas welcomed the most international students.
