ZOOM WEBINAR
Q1 2026 Global Student Flows Briefing
Exclusive briefing for education providers revealing the latest and anticipated international student mobility trends
Q1 2026 GLOBAL STUDENT FLOWS BRIEFING
About the webinar
Who is most likely to enrol in the Big 4 and New Zealand? Where are these students coming from, and what does this mean for higher education globally?
In the latest edition of our Global Student Flows Briefing, we analysed the most recent student visa and enrolment data for Australia, Canada, the UK, the US, and New Zealand.
One finding is clear: international student mobility is not declining; it is reorganising. Educational institutions across the globe must diversify their international student recruitment and use accurate data to stay ahead.
"This briefing offers education providers relevant international benchmarks and an opportunity to align their student recruitment and marketing efforts with the latest trends."
Q1 2026 GLOBAL STUDENT FLOWS BRIEFING
Topics covered
Current student demand and visa approval rates
in the 'Big 4' and New Zealand
Top source markets
based on historical enrolment data and student visa trends
Impact of policy changes
on source markets and what it means for your student recruitment efforts
Q1 2026 GLOBAL STUDENT FLOWS BRIEFING
Speakers
Q1 2026 GLOBAL STUDENT FLOWS BRIEFING
Key takeaways:
Global demand remains strong, but student choices are changing
Worldwide demand for international education continues to grow at around 3% annually. What is changing is where students choose to study. Protectionist policies in traditional English-speaking destinations are reshaping global student mobility patterns. Students are increasingly prioritising affordability, visa certainty, safety, and work rights. Study destinations offering policy openness and clear post-study pathways are best positioned to capture future demand.
Recovery across the Big Four will be slow and uneven
Based on data available as of November 2025, a broad rebound across the Big Four is unlikely in the near term. The USA and Australia are expected to decline further in 2026, the UK shows early signs of stabilisation with low single-digit growth, and Canada may record percentage growth from a very low base, though overall volumes will remain well below 2023 levels.
The UK remains the anchor among the Big Four
Within the Big Four, the UK continues to lead, reaching approximately 758,000 international student enrolments in 2024/25 and maintaining strong intakes through 2027. The USA follows but remains under pressure, Australia is broadly stable, Canada continues to contract, and New Zealand shows moderate growth from a smaller base.
Growth is shifting beyond the Big Four - to Europe and Asia
Growth momentum is increasingly moving beyond the Big Four. Europe is projected to grow its international student base by 3–5% in 2026, while Asia is expected to expand faster, at 10–15%, driven by regional mobility, affordability, improving quality and rankings, and clearer student visa pathways. For the first time, combined international student enrolments in Europe and Asia are projected to match or exceed the Big Four in 2024/25, signalling a structural shift in international student flows rather than a temporary disruption.
Q1 2026 GLOBAL STUDENT FLOWS BRIEFING
Webinar Recording
Missed the live session? The full recording is available for subscribers or upon request (via the form below).
CONTACT FORM
Recording and presentation - request form
Access the latest international student mobility trends by submitting this form
Do you want to learn more about the presented data? Explore our data platform - the most advanced source for international education market intelligence.
Access previous Global Student Flows Briefings
