The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey conducted by Studyportals reported that 41% of institutions saw a decline in international postgraduate enrollments in 2024 compared to 2023.
While 31% of institutions experienced an increase, the majority faced reductions, with enrollment dropping by 27% in Canada, 18% in the U.K., and 6% in the U.S.
In contrast, African nations reported no change, Asian countries saw a 4% decline, and other European nations experienced a 2% increase.
The survey collected data from 365 institutions across 66 countries.
For undergraduate enrollments, 31% of institutions reported declines, 38% saw increases, and the rest remained steady.
The report highlighted restrictive visa policies and government regulations as significant issues, with anglophone countries being the most affected.
Among the surveyed institutions, 93% of Canadian universities, 61% of U.K. institutions, and 58% of U.S. universities cited visa-related challenges.
Canada and the U.K. have recently tightened regulations, while U.S. applicants faced delays in visa processing. Australia, also imposing stricter policies, was excluded from the survey due to insufficient responses.
“The survey results affirm that government policies factor into student choices, by either facilitating or hindering access and should not be underestimated,” Fanta Aw, CEO of Nafsa: Association of International Educators, told The Times Higher Education (THE).
Studyportals CEO Edwin van Rest added that usually, challenges in certain destinations lead to benefits for alternatives.
“However, the broader drop in postgraduate enrolments, in particular, suggests that many discouraged students are not simply changing destinations but are instead delaying or even canceling their study plans altogether,” he was quoted by THE.
To address these challenges, respondents identified diversification into new markets as a key strategy, with nearly one-third planning more aggressive enrollment goals for the coming year.
However, financial concerns loom, with 60% of Canadian and 32% of U.K. institutions expecting budget cuts over the next 12 months, compared to 22% globally.
Additionally, 10% of surveyed institutions anticipate staffing cuts, including 27% of Canadian and 23% of U.K. universities.
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