Sydney universities ‘exceeding targets’ as international students surge towards pre-pandemic levels

Sydney’s universities say they are experiencing a surge in international students after Covid cost the sector billions and forced the cancellation of major infrastructure projects.

Sydney’s university sector is experiencing a surge in international student demand after two-years of Covid-induced restrictions cost the sector billions in revenue and forced the cancellation of long-planned infrastructure projects.

New data from the federal Education Department showed 19,729 international students commenced higher education courses in NSW in January and February this year, a massive 59.9 per cent increase on last year, and not far below the 25,493 figure recorded in 2019.

Students from China account for the biggest number of students studying at campuses in the state with 8586 students beginning courses in the first two months of this year – up 60 per cent from 2020. 

Students from India also accounted for 2332 new enrolments, followed by Nepal (2253), and Vietnam (917).

The University of Sydney said international enrolments for semester one this year were now “close to pre-Covid” levels after last year’s intake exceeded its own targets.

The university – which is estimated to contribute $5.3 billion to the state’s economy each year – was among the hardest hit institutions during the peak of Covid, estimating losses at $470 million during 2020.

The University of Sydney said international student numbers were rebounding.

At Macquarie University, a spokeswoman said the institution “had not been spared the wide-ranging effects of the pandemic” however, had “entered 2022 on a stable financial footing.”

The university’s latest annual report showed of the 44,832 students enrolled in 2020, there were 1256 fewer international students compared with 2019.

The pandemic also resulted in the university “reprioritising” a long-planned $130 million development at the northern Sydney campus for a new teaching hub and 200 room hotel.

TAFE NSW is also reporting a rise in student demand.

A university spokeswoman said the “reprioritisation of capital works plans (were) part of efforts to reduce non-staff costs and to mitigate financial challenges due to the impacts of Covid-19”.

During the peak of the pandemic, many universities turned to government support including Western Sydney University which received $6.18 million in JobKeeper assistance during 2020.

The university’s latest annual report shows its revenue from international student fees dropped from $164.8 million in 2019 to $149.9 million in 2020.

A photo of Western Sydney University.

Australian Catholic Univeristy meanwhile said it also had to “reprioritise” planned infrastructure projects in response to the economic hit from the pandemic.

The university’s chief operating officer and deputy vice-chancellor Dr Stephen Weller said international student applications for July 2022 were up 75 per cent compared to last year’s mid-year intake.

He said students from South Asian countries were leading the rebound with a 62 per cent increase in applications for July 2022 compared to the same time in 2021. Applications numbers are down nine per cent compared to pre-Covid July 2019 numbers.

Australian Catholic University deputy vice chancellor Stephen Weller.

“It is too early to predict final applications for 2023. Recovery in 2023 may be restricted by the limited number of students moving from onshore pathway school, vocational and higher education pathways to a degree,” he said in a statement.

TAFE NSW is also benefiting from international borders reopening with a “surge” in students commencing courses this year, a spokeswoman said.

The University of Sydney said savings measures were put in place during the peak of the pandemic including limiting capital expenditure, pausing recruitment and offering a voluntary redundancy scheme.

International student numbers are returning towards pre-pandemic levels.

“The lockdowns had a significant impact on our research activity, however we supported as much as we could remotely including being able to access our core research infrastructure and library services through our digital platforms,” the spokeswoman said.

“We’re also continuing to offer classes remotely but are encouraging any of our students still overseas to make arrangements to travel to Sydney as soon as possible.

“As our situation became clearer, we are slowly moving back to more normal settings; however most of our revenue is still being prioritised for student support, research and ensuring we have necessary reserves for these uncertain times.”