Agent survey shows perceptions of Australia and Canada falling as students look to alternatives

The latest Navitas Agent Perception Survey was conducted in May this year and completed by 1,082 agents in 68 countries.

In terms of demand, only 57 per cent of agents agreed that there had been more interest in Canada in the prior two months, the first time that Canada has scored less than 83 per cent for this question in the series of Navitas surveys, which commenced in 2021.

The decline follows the announcement in January of a cap on post-secondary study permits below master’s level and other measures such as a doubling of financial requirements for a study permit in Canada.

Increase in interest for destinations across six Navitas agent surveys. Source – Navitas.

Livia Castellanos, Vice President of Marketing and Recruitment at Navitas University Partnerships North America, said, “Canada’s new study permit caps and other policy changes have left many prospective international students confused and concerned. We have seen a profound decline in interest from prospective students applying to Canadian institutions this fall. This, combined with further delays in study permit processing, will further damage Canada’s reputation as a study destination. It may take several years to recover.”

Australia’s score fell from 84 per cent in the previous survey in May 2023 to 71 per cent this time, following visa delays and denials and other policy announcements at the start of the year.

However, the survey was open while Australia’s intended cap was first announced by the government, and more detailed analysis showed that among agents who responded after the cap was announced, only 68 per cent said interest had increased, compared with 73 per cent before.

Michelle Von Karlowitz, GM Sales and Marketing, University Partnerships Australasia for Navitas, said prospective students were closely watching how the proposed managed system will play out.

“The way the government communicates with the market will be critical in restoring confidence,” he said.

The UK was top in demand with 72 per cent indicating an increase in interest over the previous two months, although this was lower than 77 per cent in the previous survey. At the beginning of this year a ban on master’s students bringng dependents was introduced, and there was uncertainty over the UK’s post-study Graduate Route.

Interest in Germany has increased, Navitas found.

There were improved scores for the USA, which rose from 68 per cent to 72 per cent – entering the top two for the first time – and New Zealand, which jumped from 55 per cent to 69 per cent.

Navitas also found an increase in interest in alternative destinations, with 77 per cent of agents citing an increase over the prior two months for Germany (compared with 60 per cent last time), as well as the Netherlands (65 per cent), UAE (60) and Singapore (60).

In line with the increase in interest for alternative destinations, the authors found a clear trend that students are casting the net wider when applying for studying abroad.

Perception of Canada being open and welcoming has declined. Source – Navitas.

Some 82 per cent of agents agreed that students are applying to more destination countries, up from 70 per cent in the previous year’s survey, while 81.6 per cent agreed that applicants are applying to more institutions within each destination country, up from 69 per cent previously.

Tony Cullen, Executive General Manager of Global Engagement, said that Navitas had seen a “more than usual” increase in students applying to more institutions across its partner network.

“Students have lost confidence in both Australia and Canada and are looking to some of the newer European and Asian destinations, especially where visa processing is perceived to be more transparent and more welcoming to international students,” he said.

There were also clear impacts of policy making on destinations’ reputations for being ‘open and welcoming to international students’. Canada’s score plummeted from 87 per cent last time to 53 per cent, while Australia dropped from 85 per cent to 61 per cent. The UK also declined, from 79 per cent to 71 per cent.

The cost of study remained the top factor in choice of destination, cited by 77 per cent of agents, followed by access to post-study work rights (64), quality of education (62) and opportunities to work while studying (59).

For work related factors and safety, Australia remained the most appealing destination, agents said, while Canada was perceived as best for cost, the USA was top for university rankings, and the UK rated most favorably for visa processing.

Growth in pathway programs was also identified, with 56 per cent of agents overall indicating moderate or strong growth for these programs. Increased demand was most prominent in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa (both 62 per cent), followed by South East Asia and MENA (both 61).