By Chirag Mehta
The landscape of international higher education has been undergoing substantial changes, particularly with the rise of Asian student movements. The emergence of Asian countries like China and India as leading contributors to international student populations in global educational powerhouses like the United States and the United Kingdom represents a significant paradigm shift.
Growing Asian Presence in the United States
According to a report from Open Doors Data, the US has solidified its standing as a prime destination for international students. In the academic year 2021/22, a total of 948,519 students from more than 200 different countries chose the US. A notable resurgence was seen as new international student enrollments soared by 80%, reaching 261,961, effectively returning to pre-pandemic levels.
China and India remained the most significant contributors, making up 52% of all international students. However, China experienced a 9% year-over-year decline, while India saw a substantial 19% increase in student numbers year-over-year.
The growth in international student populations is not solely attributed to China and India. Twelve out of the top 25 countries of origin recorded double-digit increases in the number of students they sent to the US during the same academic year. Data from Open Doors 2021/2022 revealed that 40,755 South Korean students were studying in the US.
This data suggests that the US remains a desirable location for higher education from a global standpoint, even as other destinations like the United Kingdom become increasingly popular among certain demographics.
United Kingdom
Affordable tuition, shorter postgraduate programs, and strong international university rankings make the UK an attractive alternative to the US. Moreover, the graduate route introduced in July 2021, allowing eligible students to stay in the UK for two or three years post-graduation, has further amplified the UK’s appeal.
According to Universities UK, in the academic year 2021–22, 679,970 international students were studying at UK higher education institutions. Of these, 151,690 were Chinese, and 126,535 were Indian. This is further echoed by the data released by Statista that the UK has overtaken the US as the top choice for Chinese students, marking an 80% increase over the last decade.
Indian nationals account for 42% of grants on the graduate route, suggesting a strong inclination to extend their stay in the UK for work or job-seeking and possibly long-term migration.
The other Asian countries that send the most students to the UK are Hong Kong, with a total of 17,630 students, Bangladesh with 12,700 students, Malaysia with 12,135 students, Saudi Arabia with 8,750 students, and the United Arab Emirates with 8,085 students.
Australia
It is interesting to note that Australia is emerging as a major hub for students worldwide. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country welcomed a record 502,000 visa-holders in the year up to July 2023, marking an 85% increase in student visa arrivals compared to the same period in 2019. Data from the Australian Department of Home Affairs, which shows that the total number of temporary student visas issued in July 2023 reached an all-time high of 654,870, further supports this increase.
The primary countries fueling the influx of international students to Australia are, expectedly, China and India, though applications from various other nations are also on the rise in Australian academic institutions. A report from international student data reveals that China is the foremost source country of international students in Australia, representing 40.5% of the total enrollments. India is the second-largest contributor, accounting for 16.1% of all international student enrollments.
Statista reports that, as of June 2022, Australia had enrolled more than 141,000 Chinese students, with 116,700 of them in the higher education sector. Among the 10 strongest markets for Australian higher education, Thailand, the sixth on the list, witnessed a remarkable 61% increase in enrollments, reaching 25,792 students. Nepal, the third largest market, saw a 21% rise, reaching 71,805 students. Similarly, Pakistan, ranked as the ninth largest market, also experienced a 21% increase in enrollments, totaling 20,935 students.
New Zealand
New Zealand is also making headway with its unique approach to strategic diversification in international education, according to Education NZ’s 2022 Statement of Performance Expectations.
In the words of Ben Burrowes, Education NZ Asia Regional Director, the objective is clear: “We don’t want to be overly reliant on one or two particular countries, and we want our Kiwi students to be learning alongside all sorts of different nationalities, cultures, religions, etc.” This strategic diversification aligns with broader governmental objectives, aiming to enhance the multicultural environment within educational institutions in New Zealand.
While South Korea is certainly a focal point, Education NZ is also looking at other Asian countries for growth, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Japan. Burrowes stresses that these new focal points do not diminish the importance of traditional markets like China: “They all remain of equal importance.”
In 2023, Immigration New Zealand approved 21% of new study visas for Chinese students and 14% for Indian students, with the Philippines having the third largest share at 6%.
Asia’s Surge in Global Higher Education
Asian nations, particularly powerhouses like China and India, have seen explosive economic growth in recent decades. This prosperity has birthed an expansive middle class with the means to invest in international education. Western institutions, spanning from the US and UK to Australia and Canada, have long been regarded as bastions of academic excellence. Drawn to the allure of superior research opportunities and holistic programs, many Asian students pursue education in these regions.
Such international exposure also allows for invaluable global networking, opening doors to myriad career opportunities across multinational landscapes. On a practical note, countries like Canada and Australia present potential immigration pathways for Asian students. The fierce competition for spots in top-tier universities within Asia, given the sheer volume of students, has also prompted many to look outward for their higher education aspirations.
Bolstering this trend, several Asian governments actively promote overseas studies, offering scholarships in the hopes that students, once equipped with foreign expertise, will return to contribute domestically. Deep-rooted cultural values in many Asian societies emphasize the paramount importance of education, leading families to prioritize and allocate significant resources towards it.
As globalization blurs borders, the demand for a worldly perspective in education only intensifies. It’s noteworthy that as Asia’s prominence in global affairs grows, its institutions are attracting a diverse cohort of international students, highlighting the dynamic two-way flow of global education today.
Rising Asian Impact on Global Higher Education
Indeed, international student movements from Asia, spearheaded by China and India, are on the rise across global higher education. While the US and UK have been traditional destinations, countries like Australia and New Zealand are also reaping the benefits, thanks to diversification efforts and policy modifications to attract more of these students. These shifts in student demographics don’t just boost the economy; they also enrich the cultural and academic tapestries of host nations.
The continuous surge in student influx from various Asian nations marks a significant paradigm shift in international education, compelling educational institutions around the world to innovate and adapt to these emerging trends.
(The Author is the MD, South-Asia of M Square Media)
