The Market Monitor Digest (week 42/2026)

US: US probes nine unis over J-1 visas and suspends firms’ green card pathway

By The Pie News, Oct 09, 2026

US universities face allegations of using J-1 visas to undercut American researchers’ wages, while a separate suspension at eight major employers threatens to delay permanent residency applications for foreign workers.

China: China expands undergraduate places at leading universities

By British Council, Oct 09, 2026

Vice Minister of Education Wang Guangyan announced at a press conference in Beijing on 23rd September, 2026, that the number of people with a higher education background in China has reached 270 million. While the head of the Ministry of Education’s development planning department, Guo Peng, said double first-class universities would add around 76,000 undergraduate places between 2027 and 2030.

Ireland: TrustEd framework and consistent visa process should enhance Ireland’s position

By The Pie News, Oct 12, 2026

Ireland remains well placed to attract international students, but uncertainty over visas and the implementation of new quality standards could shape its ability to capitalise on that demand.

UK: Bede’s Summer School adds new location for 2027

By Study Travel Magazine, Oct 12, 2026

UK junior provider Bede’s Summer School has announced an additional residential location for younger learners in 2027 at Burgess Hill Girls.

Global: International security and defence: Is it time for universities to step up?

By The Pie News, Oct 12, 2026

In her latest column for The PIE, Diana Beech asks whether universities can keep their doors open to the world while guarding against growing security threats – and why getting that balance right has never mattered more.

Australia: Australian funding overhaul clears parliament

By Times Higher Education, Oct 13, 2026

Australia’s university funding overhaul has finally passed federal parliament, ushering a new age of central control over the allocation of domestic students’ university places.

Japan: Chinese graduate students ‘entangled’ in Japan’s security agenda

By Times Higher Education, Oct 13, 2026

Concerns about research security are increasingly influencing decision-making within Japanese universities, particularly when projects involve Chinese graduate students, a study has found.

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UK: Southbourne School of English adds new courses for 2027

By Study Travel Magazine, Oct 14, 2026

UK ELT provider Southbourne School of English has unveiled three new specialist adult courses for 2027: university preparation, an over 30s executive programme and a course aimed at content creators.