International student numbers soar to pre-pandemic levels

Universities are bracing for a major rebound in international student enrolments as applications surpass pre-pandemic levels amid major global upheaval in the sector.

International students Vaastav Varma, Tamara Bruers and Aashna Kotwani at Sydney University. Picture: Nikki Short

Universities are bracing for a major rebound in international student enrolments as applications surpass pre-pandemic levels amid major global upheaval in the sector as China reopens its borders and the UK shuns overseas students.

Many Australian universities are reporting an upturn in interest from international students of between 17 and 40 per cent from previous years as the sector recovers from more than two years of border closures and Covid-19 disruption.

The University of Melbourne reported its international student applications were up 17 per cent this year from last and 25 per cent from 2019, the last academic year before the pandemic.

The University of New South Wales said international student applications had increased by 25 per cent from before the pandemic, with student numbers from India up by 22 per cent, China up by 25 per cent, and Hong Kong up by 58 per cent.

Meanwhile, the University of Wollongong was also anticipating a strong year of enrolments, recording a 40 per cent increase in overseas applications from 2019, tipping a jump in enrolments from China after they slumped 10 per cent last year.

The University of Queensland has also seen interest from international students increase by 27 per cent since pre-pandemic levels, with a 150 per cent increase in Indian students and a 40 per cent rise in Chinese students.

International Education Association of Australia chief executive Phil Honeywood said while impending changes to the rules allowing students to work an uncapped number of hours might suppress interest in some markets, a combination of global factors was likely behind the rebound.

It also comes as China reopens its international borders amid a major outbreak in Covid-19 cases after years of students contending with significant difficulty leaving the country.

“There is definitely an upswing for a range of reasons; one is the Australian dollar is still very low compared to American and Canadian dollars at only 68c, so it‘s cheaper to come and study in Australia,” he said.

“Secondly the UK, which has taken a market share of students in the last two years, doesn‘t have enough accommodation for international students, even regional universities are saying sorry unless you have a bed guaranteed you can’t come.

“UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is now saying only students at top universities can come. As the UK has been our main competitor these restrictions will help us.

“New Zealand, our second main competitor, was slow to reopen so Australia is now well placed compared to most of our competitive countries.”