With the calendar year half over and so much is happening in international education around the globe, it seems an appropriate time to reflect on the past 6 months. Like all sectors, the K-12 space for international education has been busy. So let’s take a trip around the globe to see what’s happening in the schools sector.
UK
The controversial new policy requiring schools to pay VAT on their fees is having an impact on the UK as an international study destination. So far, the changes have been slow to notice. However, it is predicted that international student recruitment in British boarding schools could decline by as much as 28% with most schools being forced to raise their fees by an average of 10-15% to cover costs. [i] A recent attempt by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) to have the policy thrown out as discriminatory and contrary to human rights was dismissed by the high court[ii] and the changes will affect the finances of independent schools across the UK
The fall-on effects include school closures, growth in British satellite campuses, and reduced interest from international sources in attending schools in the UK. UK independent provider Queen Margaret’s School for Girls in York has announced that it will close at the end of the summer term, citing the impact of government policies including the introduction of VAT on school fees.[iii] Satellite campuses are expanding with Harrow International has announced a new international boarding school in Abu Dhabi, set to open in August 2026,[iv] Kings College Wimbledon [v]opening in Abu Dhabi, and Bedford College opening in India.[vi] The increase in fees will also have discerning parents questioning alternative study destinations, according to Susan Fang of Oxbridge.
USA
Overall, the USA is experiencing a decline in international student numbers. Between March 2024 and March 2025, the total number of international students in the United States declined 11.33%.[vii]
While it is reported that fewer Chinese students are interested in studying in the USA, than in the past,[viii] according to Matt Wetherington from Fourdozen marketing, it still remains desirable for the Vietnamese market. The USA still has a reputation for excellent job and future prospects for young people, and therefore students in Vietnam are still looking at their secondary options in the USA as a lead up to higher education there. Vietnam still sees the value in studying in the USA according to Wetherington.
Accordingly, due to the narrow list of source countries, the suspension of F1 visas issuance for higher-risk countries[ix] appears to have little effect on the most of the major source markets for schools in the USA. Paula Ireland, from Everest Collegiate High School and Academy in Michigan, has confirmed that they have “excellent application numbers and have seen no decline in interest from international students to study with them.”
Canada
For higher education. the number of new international students coming to Canada is predicted to fall by over 50% this year, with domestic tuition fees likely to increase as a result, a new survey has revealed.[x] There has been a marked decline for applicants for all sectors from India, the Philippines and Nigeria.[xi] The flow on effect of caps on visas and post study work rights continues to plague Canadian International education.
In Canada, most international students studying in the school’s sector are in the public education system. There has been a slight increase this year according to reports from the Canadian Association of Public Schools—International (CAPS-I) who has been quoted as saying there are 30,000 long term K-12 international students currently enrolled in their member schools. [xii] This indicates an increase from last year for total international high school students in Canada, which were just under 30 000.
Australia
Here at home, with a small growth in enrolments in the high school sector in 2024, we are eagerly anticipating some year-to-date data for 2025.
There will inevitably be some fall-on effects for the school sector from the National Planning Levels, visa prioritisation policies and lower perceptions with respect to “potential for future residency/immigration” and “graduate career opportunities.”[xiii] in Australia.
However, high schools remain optimistic about their recruitment and popularity as the UK and USA experience their own issues.
Wetherington says that the Vietnamese market have noted an increase in onshore representation of high school from Australia. This is having a positive impact on Australia as a desired destination that shows care and support for Vietnamese students and families.
Lyndall Dakic of Venn International, a consultancy supporting Australian schools with their overseas student recruitment, has recently returned from a multi-city visit across China. She found that Australia continues to hold strong appeal due to its reputation for safety and educational quality which are two of the most important factors for Chinese parents when considering study options abroad. Much like Vietnam, to stay top of mind, Australian schools should maintain visibility and a genuine presence in key Chinese cities.
Susan Fang from Oxbridge International says that on the university front, Australia is now firmly on the shortlist for Chinese international students finishing Year 13 at UK boarding schools. “In fact, 1 in 4 of our final-year students this year chose an Australian university over a UK one, opting for Queensland over Birmingham, Sydney over Warwick.”
When asked “Why?” Fang went on to say that “It’s not just the weather. More flexible entry requirements, particularly on English language and academic standards, make Australia attractive, especially when combined with strong university reputations and a generous post-study work visa system.”
In the schools’ sector, Oxbridge sees more students and families looking for more from their schools and it may be beyond the traditional study destinations.” If there’s one overarching trend, it’s this: Chinese-speaking families are no longer loyalists to any one education system. They’re picking and mixing across the UK, US, Australia, Canada, Switzerland, not based on historical prestige, but on long-term value.”
Over half of students considered alternative destinations before choosing the UK or US, with over 40% of those considering alternatives beyond the traditional “Big 4”— the UK, US, Canada, and Australia. Europe, in particular, remained a strong contender across all regions.[xiv]
Dakic also added that Chinese families remain globally focused. Amid ongoing uncertainty in the US, Chinese families are increasingly turning to closer destinations such as Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Hong Kong, which are seen as safe, accessible, and affordable.
The overall message for K-12 recruitment globally comes from Susan Fang. As schools try to appeal to a more “Globally Fluid Family.” they are not as concerned with rankings, price and recommendations. They are asking themselves the following questions:
• Where will my child be happiest?
• Where are the work opportunities?
• Where’s the safest place geopolitically in five years’ time?
Australia certainly has a lot of opportunities to meet these requirements, if the government can become more open with longer term study and work opportunities for students coming to study here.
[i] https://thepienews.com/exclusive-vat-policy-may-cut-british-boarding-school-intl-recruitment-by-28/
[ii] https://thepienews.com/private-schools-lose-vat-row/
[iii] https://studytravel.network/magazine/news/0/31468
[iv] https://thepienews.com/harrow-international-boarding-school-abu-dhabi/
[v] https://thepienews.com/kings-college-school-wimbledon-to-open-campus-in-abu-dhabi/
[vi] https://thepienews.com/trust-and-quality-must-define-the-next-era-of-international-student-recruitment/
[vii] https://www.aau.edu/newsroom/leading-research-universities-report/sevis-data-shows-declining-number-international
[viii] https://www.economist.com/china/2025/06/05/chinese-students-want-an-american-education-less-than-they-used-to
[ix] https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and-other-national-security-and-public-safety-threats.html
[x] https://thepienews.com/new-international-enrolments-to-fall-far-short-of-canadian-targets/
[xi] https://cbie.ca/media/facts-and-figures/international-students/
[xii] https://www.policyalternatives.ca/news-research/k-12-international-students-in-canada/
[xiii] https://monitor.icef.com/2025/02/australia-impact-of-more-restrictive-visa-settings-reflected-in-latest-student-sentiment-survey/
[xiv] https://monitor.icef.com/2025/02/survey-highlights-the-disruptive-effects-of-visa-delays-on-international-students/
