International students are increasingly choosing universities in Asia and parts of continental Europe instead of the United States and the UK, according to a global survey released this week. The report links the change to tighter visa and immigration rules that make studying in North America and Britain harder to plan and complete, affecting applications and enrolments.
The survey says international undergraduate numbers fell most sharply in the US and UK during the October–August period, with declines of 19% and 13% respectively compared with the same period the prior year. It also finds weaker demand in Canada and Australia. Universities in Asia and Europe report stronger international enrolment growth, and respondents cite visa restrictions and related government policies—such as processing delays, tougher screening and changes to post-study work rules—as the main barriers.
Coverage differs mainly in emphasis rather than substance. Two outlets highlight the magnitude of the US and UK declines, while one adds broader context about how policy changes are affecting students’ ability to start or continue study and notes uncertainty about the outlook among US institutions.
