The Market Monitor Digest (week 13/2026)
We're glad to bring you the key highlights from this week’s industry news. Thanks to the research from the BONARD Market Monitor team, you’re always in step with the latest market trends.
International Education
China: US no longer a top-three destination for China’s students
By University World News, March 20, 2026
The United States continues to lose its long-held appeal among Chinese prospective international students, a new report by a major study abroad consultancy has found.
UK & Malaysia: UK-based GlobalNxt buys Malaysian uni from Manipal
By The Pie News, March 20, 2026
UK-based education group GlobalNxt has acquired Malaysia’s GlobalNxt University from Manipal Education.
Australia: Student commencements in Australia down 15 per cent in 2025, bigger drops for ELICOS
By Study Travel Magazine, March 23, 2026
The full-year 2025 data release from Australia’s Department of Education shows that the total number of international students enrolled in the country declined slightly, but that the number of new starters decreased by 15 per cent with the English language ELICOS sector particularly affected.
US: US policymakers propose bill to protect OPT
By The Pie News, March 23, 2026
US educators are rallying behind a new bipartisan bill to protect Optional Practical Training (OPT), under threat from the current administration.
Denmark: University chairs call for more international students
By University World News, March 23, 2026
In advance of voters going to the polls in the general election on Tuesday, the board chairs of Denmark’s eight universities issued a joint demand for the government to recognise the ‘significant contribution’ that international students make to the Danish economy and allow more of them to come to Denmark to study.
Finland: Students criticise ‘inhumane’ residence permit proposals
By University World News, March 25, 2026
Student organisations have criticised a proposal by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment sent out for public comment in January that will make it possible for authorities to revoke the residence permit of a foreign student who receives social assistance from the state.
Canada: Canada falling short on integrity checks, cuts went further than planned and damaged smaller provinces
By Study Travel Magazine, March 25, 2026
The Auditor General of Canada has concluded that the government has fallen short on improving integrity in a new report on international student program reforms and has also found that the impact of the study permit policies has cut student numbers more than the government expected and disproportionately affected smaller provinces.
South Korea: South Korean degrees only for international students ‘divisive’
By Times Higher Education, March 26, 2026
South Korean universities are creating degree programmes exclusively for international students in subjects such as K-pop, but academics warn the trend could deepen divisions on campus and prove unsustainable in the long term.
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