Choosing to study abroad is a significant decision for international students, influenced by various factors that align with their academic, personal, and professional aspirations. Recent policy developments in Australia have introduced new dynamics that impact these decisions, particularly concerning enrolment caps, visa processing, and institutional strategies. With the overnight news about the Trump administration sending a cable to all US diplomatic posts “to suspend the scheduling of new interviews for student visa applicants, in anticipation of new guidelines and requirements around expanded social media vetting”, the policy scene is set for further change still.
In light of these changes, what does the latest data tell us about the factors that students take into consideration about studying abroad?
New data suggests that student decision making has changed significantly in recent years. For example, the QS Country Perceptions Survey (2024) suggests that 52% of students considering Australia consider the country to be expensive following news of new visa fees, and 45% believe we have a challenging visa process. The UK’s decision to renew the Graduate Route Visa has added to competition for Australia, and interestingly, 65% of students who are considering Australia will apply to 3 or more universities (some of which will be in other countries). To learn more about the data and insights from this article, please attend the IEAA Student Recruitment and Marketing Forum in Sydney on 4-5 June, where QS, Successful Graduate, Griffith University and Charles Darwin University will discuss these issues in further detail.
Academic Reputation and Employability Outcomes
Prospective students often prioritise institutions with strong academic credentials and promising employability outcomes. QS World University Rankings serve as a key reference point in this regard. For instance, London South Bank University (LSBU) has been recognised for its commitment to teaching excellence and graduate employability, factors that significantly influence international students’ choices. IDP’s Emerging Futures student survey suggests that students are placing an ever sharper emphasis on career development when planning to study abroad. This factor now outweighs institutional ranking for many students.
Supportive Pre-Departure and Academic Preparation Programs
Effective pre-departure support and academic preparation programs are crucial in helping students transition smoothly into their new academic environment. Most students who are applying to study overseas do so from offshore, hold multiple offers, and they feel displaced and confused about which enrolment offer to pursue. LSBU recently partnered with Successful Graduate and QS to offer microcredential courses to their pre-enrolled students to address this issue. Students received an Academic Readiness Course for the UK and a Pre-Departure Course for the UK, so designed (and timed) for release to students to answer their queries, offer support to students, and to encourage them to choose LSBU because of its demonstrated commitment to each student. These programs equipped students with essential skills and knowledge, building their confidence and commitment to their educational journey. Importantly, LSBU data suggests that this form of engagement delivered a whopping 85.9% increase in enrolment conversion rates during 2024-25. Learn more about this project here https://www.successfulgraduate.com/case-study-lsbu/.
Financial Considerations and Value Proposition
Of course, the affordability of education and the overall value proposition offered by an institution continue to be significant factors in students’ decision-making processes. Institutions that provide transparent information about tuition fees, living costs, and potential financial aid options are more likely to attract international students. Affordability continues to be a major concern of students according to IDP’s Emerging Future findings. When placed in context alongside rising visa costs, Australia has become a less affordable prospect for students. The latest QS International Student Survey (2025) suggests that teaching quality, a welcoming environment and affordability are the three most important factors for those looking to study in Australia. In particular, students continue to look closely at the cost of living while studying, and many need to understand what likelihood they have of finding part-time or casual work in Australia when making a decision about which offer they will accept. Some universities such as La Trobe are now offering a Finding Part Time Work microcredential to alleviate this concern by their students (https://latrobe.successfulgraduate.com/).
Policy Implications on International Education
Recent policy changes in Australia have introduced new dynamics affecting international students and educational institutions. It would seem that most aspiring students are unaware of the detailed policy landscape, they will simply choose the country and institution that best matches their personal criteria.
Pending Enrolment Caps Legislation: The proposed legislation to set a National Planning Level (NPL) for new international student commencements was blocked in Parliament prior to the recent election. Consequently, there are still no legal enrolment caps in place, leaving institutions to navigate enrolment numbers without statutory limits. As Phil Honeywood and Julian Hill discussed these issues during last week’s IEAA member update about post election policy, we have been invited to ‘watch this space’.
Continuation of Ministerial Direction 111: This remains in effect, introducing a two-tier visa processing system. This system prioritises visa applications based on the percentage of enrolments relative to a provider’s indicative allocation, aiming to manage enrolment growth and ensure equitable access to visa processing. With the high likelihood of the National Strategy for International Education undergoing a refresh to align with current global trends and domestic priorities, we hope this update aims to provide a strategic framework for the sector’s growth and sustainability.
Exemption of Transnational Education from Enrolment Caps: Transnational Education (TNE) programs continue to be exempt from enrolment caps. This exemption effectively allows institutions to expand their international offerings without being constrained by domestic enrolment limits.
Restoring Sector Integrity and Sustainability: The international education sector faces challenges related to quality assurance, financial sustainability, and domestic public perception. Efforts are underway to restore the sector’s social license and ensure its long-term viability.
Hopefully as a sector we will soon have improved ability to support aspiring students with their decision to study here backed by a well defined policy agenda and a strong suite of tools in our kit bag. Hope to see you next week in Sydney!
Session to be held at IEAA Marketing and Recruitment Forum, Thursday 5 June 2025, 9.15am: Mission Possible: Maximising Conversion and Reputation in a Competitive Global Market , Shelly Maller, Sarah Stark, Cheryl Brennan, Stephanie Fenelon, Gordon Scott
