GLOBAL
A comprehensive study of 3,650 students from 55 countries has indicated that the expansion of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic has not reduced the attraction of moving countries to undertake in-person higher education in foreign universities and colleges.
Indeed, the New Horizons survey by IDP Connect, part of Australia-based international student recruitment leader IDP Education, showed that 79% of students questioned were only considering overseas on-campus options.
Only 18% were prepared to start online studies at home before moving to an overseas campus. The survey found that 10% of students would choose full online study with an international institution, and 10% chose local in-person studies at a college or university partnered with an overseas institution.
The research was released on 6 October at the IDP’s Australian International Education Conference, which was held virtually from 5 to 8 October.
Simon Emmett, IDP Connect CEO, said: “These latest results reinforce students’ desire to gain an overseas qualification and the rich cultural and educational benefits that come with doing so.”
Migration, post-study work also strong drivers
Students are still viewing overseas study as a potential means to longer term emigration and additional study, with the survey showing that 63% of respondents wanting a foreign on-campus course were likely to use their qualification to ease migration after graduation to the country of their institution.
Also, 65% said they were interested in accessing post-graduation working rights in these countries.
The lesson for countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom, which benefit from overseas student placements, is that governments need to take account of these longer-term desires, including in immigration policies, if they want to maintain overseas student markets.
In analysis of the study, IDP said: “Migration incentives and post-study work rights were…found to be strong drivers that could be used to influence which courses and in which countries students chose to study.”
The “main motivational driver for students was their future career opportunities”, with financial considerations driving decisions of where and what to study, including the ability to work part-time while studying, tuition fees and the cost of living all important.
Canada the most popular overseas country
Taking account of these factors, the survey showed that Canada was currently the most popular overseas study location for students questioned, most of whom hail from Asia, with a significant portion coming from Commonwealth countries.
The largest number were from India (1,133); the Philippines (583); Sri Lanka (456); Bangladesh (364); Nepal (174); Kenya (158); Indonesia (113); Malaysia (110); Pakistan (89); Vietnam (82); Canada (58); Thailand (51); Mauritius (39); China (39); and Turkey (22).
Of all respondents, 63% were aged 18 to 25 years, with 52% seeking postgraduate studies and 30% undergraduate courses.
Canada, which currently has a proactively open immigration policy and offers overseas students visas to study at ‘designated learning institutions’, was considered as an option by 69% of survey subjects, followed by the UK (48%); Australia (46%); the US (46%); New Zealand (27%); Germany (21%); Singapore (14%) and France (13%).
Canada was also the highest ranked top choice, at 39%, followed by the US and UK (both 17%), Australia 16% and New Zealand (4%).
Commenting on the data, Emmett said: “Students want to be clear about the value and the outcomes they will gain. The countries and institutions that can offer and communicate clear pathways to employment or migration will be most popular as the world continues to re-open from the pandemic.”
This is especially so given that the pandemic has caused talented potential overseas students to take a second look at study at well-regarded universities and colleges in their home countries.
The survey showed that 66% of students who had previously only considered overseas study “said the opportunity to study at a highly-ranked institution increased the likelihood that they would consider home-country study”, noted the IDP analysis.
So, universities that have in the past attracted many overseas students cannot just rest on their laurels. The survey showed, for instance, that 61% of respondents were more likely to apply to institutions offering a designated ‘study hub’ in their country that provides “the opportunity to meet peers, study together, and receive learning and career support at no extra cost”, said IDP.
Advice for Australia
The recruitment leader also had some targeted advice for Australia, if it wants to increase its competitiveness in the overseas student market.
The country has operated a tough immigration regime during COVID-19, with almost 14,000 student visa holders stranded overseas unable to complete studies in person or follow them up with paid work in Australia to pay off student debts.
The Australian government has promised leniency over visa extensions, but details are still awaited.
Emmett said it was in Australia’s long-term interest to provide “pathways to employment” for overseas students. He said they are “an important opportunity for Australia, as they can act as a solution to the nation’s critical skills shortage in key sectors, particularly in technology and technical roles.
“If Australia can offer prioritised employment pathways that address gaps in particular skills and industries, the international education sector can deliver a win-win-win for students, institutions and the nation.”
