The Market Monitor Digest (week 51/2025)
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
UK: Rule changes could be coming for Master of Research programmes
By ICEF Monitor, Dec 11, 2025
Since the Dependants Ban was enacted in January 2024, foreign students enrolled in research-oriented master’s (MRes) have been among the minority excused from the ban. But a recent increase in enrolments in MRes programmes is prompting the government to look into whether that exemption should be discontinued.
Global: How global regions are using TNE to reshape their reliance on international talent
By The Koala News, Dec 15, 2025
Countries worldwide are rethinking how they rely on international students and global talent, with transnational education (TNE) partnerships emerging as a key strategy. TNE partnerships foster long-term alliances, tailored to each region’s specific talent requirements and economic goals, thereby accumulating, importing, and distributing expertise where it is needed most.
Asia & Middle East: Asia and the Middle East Open Doors to More International Students
By Educations.com, Dec 15, 2025
As shifting political climates and tightening visa policies reshape traditional study abroad destinations like the US and UK, countries across Asia and the Middle East are positioning themselves to absorb the growing pool of international students. Governments from Kazakhstan to the UAE have announced ambitious enrollment targets and policy reforms aimed at attracting foreign learners.
South Korea: South Korea unveils new education policies for international, multicultural students
By The Straits Times, Dec 15, 2025
The South Korean government unveiled on Dec 12 a series of education policies targeting foreign students and those from multicultural families, as part of the country’s ongoing efforts to host more international students and accommodate the growing population of students who are non-native speakers of the Korean language
UK & EU: Erasmus scheme to return for UK students, BBC understands
By BBC, Dec 16, 2025
The UK is set to rejoin the Erasmus scheme, the BBC understands, five years after announcing that it would end its participation as part of the Brexit deal with the European Union. The EU provides funding through the scheme for people to study, train or volunteer in other European countries for up to a year.
Australia: Student visa fee increase raises $185m in MYEFO
By The Koala News, Dec 16, 2025
The Australian Government expects revenue of $185 million in 2025-26 following the increase in student visa application charges it imposed as part of its May election commitments. In the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (MYEFO) 2025–26, the increase in Visa Application Charge (VAC) for student visas is one of the measures the Government attributes to $7.2 billion of budget improvements.
US: Trump adds 20 countries to US travel ban
By The PIE News, Dec 17, 2025
The Trump administration announced it would expand its travel ban to an additional 20 nations and the Palestinian Authority, with international students and exchange visitors included in both full and partial bans.
China: China faces influx of its overseas students amid visa, job curbs
By The Economic Times, Dec 17, 2025
China is facing a surge of returning overseas students as visa and employment opportunities shrink abroad, prompting the government to start a special platform to help them find jobs and start businesses.
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