IDP survey shows students considering more options as USA makes ground

The latest edition of IDP Education ’s Emerging Futures research, based on the responses of 6,171 prospective, applied and current students from 114 countries, shows a rise in students looking at alternatives to the traditional destinations.

First-choice destination: In the August 2023 research, Canada was the most common first choice destination, favored by 27 per cent of respondents, but in the latest survey Canada has dropped to fourth place with 16 per cent, perhaps reflecting the impact of policy changes and the implementation of a cap on postsecondary study permits below master’s level this year.

Australia and the UK both dropped by one percentage point to 24 and 21 per cent respectively, while the USA increased from 19 per cent last year to 23 per cent this time.

There was also a slightly increased share of first choices for New Zealand, while the share of students indicating another destination as their priority increased from six per cent previously to 11 per cent in the latest research.

First choice destinations in the latest IDP Emerging Futures report. Graphic source – IDP.

Considering more options: The ratio of students considering more than one destination was a record 66 per cent in the latest survey, while an all-time high of 29 per cent were considering four or more countries to study in.

Students said that they would be willing to change their preferred destination if they could apply for a post-study visa (62 per cent), needed less savings to be eligible for a visa (58) or could access cheaper student visa fees (57).

Simon Emmett, IDP  Connect Chief Executive Officer, said, “In an environment of unstable policy settings, we are seeing 66 per cent of students consider more than one destination, indicating they are widening their options as they strive for certainty.”

He continued, “The long-term drivers in international education remain strong, but we can see the impact policy changes are having on Australia, Canada and the UK, who are now behind the US for perceptions of quality, value for money and graduate employment opportunities. Now is the time for governments in major destinations to provide clarity, a path forward and a more stable policy environment in order to entice students back. Failure to do so could give alternative markets an advantage.”

Perceptions of destinations: Traditionally, the USA is seen as offering the best quality of education by respondents in the IDP research, but also came top for value for money and graduate employment opportunities in the latest edition. Australia was rated highest for post-study work visa policies, while the UK had the highest perception score for overall international student policies.

Students putting plans on hold: For the first time, the IDP Emerging Futures research includes data on students who have decided not to pursue their study abroad plans.

Perceptions of the main HE study destinations. Source – IDP Education.

Canada had the highest rate of ‘decliners’ at 19 percent, the authors said, followed by Australia (15).

When asked about the reasons for not continuing with their study abroad plans, almost half of respondents (49 per cent) cited the high cost of tuition, while 35 per cent pointed to both the high cost of living and student visas as factors.

Of the students who are putting their plans on hold, almost half (47 per cent) said that would were ‘highly likely’ to apply again within the next two years, showing that the desire to study abroad remains even if plans need to be adjusted, the authors said.