International students turn towards Europe and Asia as enrolments fall in traditional destinations

International student recruitment is showing signs of a geographical shift, with universities in continental Europe and Asia reporting stronger enrolment trends as institutions in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US struggle with tighter immigration policies and changing student preferences.

A new Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey, involving more than 400 universities across 63 countries, found that 62% of institutions in the four traditional English-speaking destinations reported a decline in international postgraduate enrolments between August and October 2026. The corresponding proportion among institutions in other countries was 27%.

The findings suggest that restrictive visa policies, affordability concerns and uncertainty over immigration rules are influencing where international students choose to pursue higher education.

The survey was conducted by Studyportals in collaboration with NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Oxford Test of English. It gathered information from universities on new international student recruitment during the August-October intake period.

The results point to a changing competitive landscape for higher education institutions. While the traditional destinations continue to attract international students, universities elsewhere are reporting growth in recruitment, particularly at postgraduate level.

UK and US universities report significant postgraduate declines

The UK recorded the sharpest deterioration among the four established destinations. Around 79% of British institutions participating in the survey reported lower international postgraduate recruitment, compared with 50% a year earlier. Undergraduate recruitment also weakened, with 43% of UK institutions reporting declines.

Visa restrictions were identified as the most significant obstacle by university respondents. Institutions also pointed to the cost of living, changing government policies and uncertainty surrounding visa decisions.

One UK university respondent cited increased visa refusals following credibility interviews and changes to the Home Office's Basic Compliance Assessment requirements. These concerns reflect the pressure on universities to maintain their international recruitment while complying with stricter sponsorship and visa rules.

The US also continued to face difficulties in attracting international postgraduate students. The survey reported a 59% decline in postgraduate enrolments, with American institutions expressing considerable concern about the next recruitment cycle. Around 37% expected enrolments to fall further for the corresponding intake next year.

The US has introduced several immigration policy changes affecting international students under the Trump administration. These developments, alongside uncertainty over student visa processing and the wider political environment, have contributed to concerns among universities and prospective applicants.

However, recruitment challenges are not solely linked to government policy. Some American institutions also cited staffing shortages that affected their ability to support incoming students, while others pointed to increased competition from universities elsewhere.

Canada shows signs of stabilisation

Canada's international recruitment picture was comparatively more stable after two years of significant declines. Universities in the country reported average decreases of 4% in undergraduate enrolments and 3% at postgraduate level. More than half of the institutions surveyed said their postgraduate numbers remained unchanged.

The figures suggest that the pace of decline may be easing, although the country has not yet returned to a growth trajectory. Canada's international education sector has faced a series of policy changes, including restrictions on study permits and measures intended to manage the number of temporary residents. These changes have affected the recruitment environment for universities that traditionally relied on international students.

The survey's findings indicate that stabilisation in Canada is not yet equivalent to a recovery. Institutions are still dealing with the consequences of earlier restrictions and a smaller recruitment base.

European and Asian universities report growth

The trends were more positive among universities in continental Europe and Asia. Across the two regions, half of the participating higher education institutions reported an increase in international undergraduate enrolments, with average growth of 4%. Postgraduate enrolments rose by an average of 2%.

Asia recorded particularly encouraging postgraduate recruitment trends. Around 59% of universities in the region reported higher international postgraduate enrolments, with average growth of 7%.

The findings indicate that international student mobility is not necessarily declining everywhere. Rather, recruitment patterns are changing, with students and institutions increasingly engaging with destinations beyond the traditional English-speaking markets.

European countries have sought to strengthen their appeal through international programmes, research opportunities and policies aimed at attracting overseas talent. Several countries also offer comparatively affordable study options, although tuition fees and living costs vary considerably across the region.

Asian higher education systems are also expanding their international reach. Universities in the region are investing in international programmes, research collaboration and recruitment strategies to attract students from neighbouring countries and beyond.

The survey does not identify individual countries or universities as the main beneficiaries of this growth. Its regional findings therefore should not be interpreted as evidence that every European or Asian destination is experiencing an increase in enrolments.

Visa policies and affordability shape student decisions

Immigration restrictions emerged as the most significant obstacle to international student recruitment in the survey. Universities in traditional destinations reported that changes in visa requirements, processing delays and uncertainty over post-study opportunities were influencing student decisions.

The cost of studying abroad also remains a major consideration. Tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses and the availability of scholarships can influence whether students choose to study overseas and which destination they select.

For universities, these factors have implications beyond admissions. International students contribute to institutional income, research activity and campus diversity. Postgraduate recruitment is particularly important because overseas master's and doctoral students can contribute to research teams, specialist programmes and the development of skilled workforces.

Edwin van Rest, chief executive and co-founder of Studyportals, said the shift in international student flows was continuing, particularly in postgraduate education, which plays an important role in attracting talent and supporting national competitiveness.

He said Asian and European destinations were continuing to grow, while Canada's stabilisation offered some encouragement despite recruitment levels remaining below their earlier base.

A changing international education landscape

The findings raise questions about how established study destinations will respond to growing competition from Europe and Asia. Universities in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US have built international reputations over decades, but their ability to attract overseas students also depends on the wider policy environment.

For prospective students, destination decisions involve more than institutional rankings. Visa certainty, affordability, employment opportunities, access to research and the possibility of remaining in a country after graduation can all influence their choices.

For universities, the results underline the importance of diversifying recruitment markets and strengthening student support rather than relying solely on established international demand.

The survey offers an early indication of changing recruitment patterns, rather than a comprehensive count of international students across the world. Its findings are based on participating institutions' reports for a specific intake period and should not be treated as national enrolment statistics.

Nevertheless, the contrast between the four traditional destinations and universities in Europe and Asia highlights a more competitive international education market. As governments reconsider immigration policies and institutions adapt their recruitment strategies, the distribution of international students may become increasingly diverse.