The Fall 2025 Recruitment Partner Pulse Survey, conducted by ApplyBoard in August–September, gathered insights from nearly 400 student recruitment professionals across 40 countries.
Survey data shows that the United Kingdom remains the leading destination for international students—despite shifting policies abroad—while affordability has never been more important.
According to the survey, 74% of respondents say their students are now considering a wider range of study destinations beyond the usual favourites—Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, the UK and the United States. The UK remains on top when it comes to perceptions of openness, safety and welcome. Meanwhile, interest in destinations like New Zealand, France and Finland has increased.
More than 90% of recruitment partners reported that affordability is a top concern for students when choosing where to study. This includes the cost of tuition, but also the cost of living and post-study work opportunities. Other findings: perceptions of the US as an open and welcoming destination have dropped sharply since Spring 2025, while Canada has seen improvement. Australia’s attractiveness dipped slightly compared to Spring, but remains higher than in Fall 2024.
Recruitment professionals are also noting increasing interest in shorter programs, certifications, or blended-learning options among students. Fields such as AI, cybersecurity, sustainability and healthcare are expected to remain high in demand.
For Australia, these trends send a strong signal. To remain competitive, Australian institutions will need to remain vigilant around the cost of study and living, visa policy, and flexibility in program offerings.
For further information on the results of the survey, see here.
