The Market Monitor Digest (week 26/2026)
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: Re-educating graduates for the competitive job market
By University World News, June 19, 2026
As another record number of university graduates enter China’s job market this month, authorities are increasingly encouraging both students and unemployed graduates to be “re-educated” through vocational and skills-based training.
New Zealand: NZ police release safety resource for international students
By Study Travel Magazine, June 19, 2026
New Zealand Police have developed a new safety information booklet to support agents, parents and international students. Booklet designed to help students at key stages from initial counselling. Agents are encouraged to share the resource and use in counselling with students and parents.
Georgia: ‘We must consolidate resources’: Georgian minister defends reforms
By Times Higher Education, June 22, 2026
Georgia’s education minister has defended controversial plans to restrict the subjects state universities may offer, seen as one of the most extreme examples of a trend towards more state involvement in higher education after an era marked by intense marketisation.
Japan: Japanese proficiency essential for foreign graduates staying on to work
By ICEF Monitor, June 18, 2026
Expanding the number of English-taught programmes (ETPs) is a common way for non-anglophone destinations to attract more international students. But in Japan, the growth of ETPs is at best moderate. Ever more, the government is listening to public opinion that foreigners should be able to speak Japanese and integrate into Japanese society.
Azerbaijan: Ascending in world university rankings and highly affordable, Azerbaijan is strengthening its offer to international students
By ICEF Monitor, June 24, 2026
In this new era of geopolitics, some countries that have historically had very small international student populations are spotting opportunities to become regional higher education hubs. Azerbaijan, situated right between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, is quickly internationalising its higher education system.
Estonia: Estonia sees fall in international student numbers despite rising tax contribution
By Study Travel Magazine, June 24, 2026
The number of international students in Estonia fell during the 2024/25 academic year, but their contribution to the country’s economy continued to grow, according to Statistics Estonia.
UK: Visa application withdrawals surpass refusals in Q1 2026
By ICEF Monitor, June 25, 2026
Visa application withdrawals have been climbing steadily over the last two years in the UK and, for the first time in 20 years, the number of withdrawals exceeded the number of refusals in the first quarter of this year.
Japan: Japan announces first visa fee increase in almost 50 years
By Study Travel Magazine, June 25, 2026
The government of Japan has announced the first increase to visa fees since 1978, and is also expected to introduce higher charges for extensions and change of status and an electronic travel authorisation for non-visa nationals in coming years.
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