Australia and Canada stand as highly competitive choices for international students, with a significant preference for studying in these countries. According to recent surveys, Australia holds a slight edge, with 2 percent more international students choosing it as their preferred study abroad destination. Despite a slight decline in popularity, Canada remains a top choice for international students.
On the other hand, the United Kingdom holds the third position, with approximately 22 percent of international students considering it their primary choice for studying abroad. In the academic year 2021–22, the United States attracted more than 945,000 international students, selected by 19 percent of survey participants from a pool of over 10,000 prospective students.
The key determinant influencing students’ decisions to study in these countries is the quality of education offered. Additionally, the availability of post-study employment opportunities serves as a significant factor shaping students’ choices.
Australia leads the chart in international student enrollment, welcoming over 600,000 international students in 2022. Also, there were over 670,000 international students studying in the UK in the academic year 2021–22.
China and India are the primary source countries, sending a substantial number of students for higher education to all these countries, including Australia and Canada.
Furthermore, international student recruitment holds a high priority for universities in Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US. Approximately 48 percent of university leaders strongly believe that attracting international students is a top institutional priority, underscoring the global significance of international education.
