The research carried out by IDP Education among over 6,000 students and 114 countries released in the Emerging Futures report reveals new trends in the international students’ preferences. It further shows that 66% of respondents are thinking of studying in more than one country which is the highest percentage in the recent past.

One major shock which exists reveals that 62% of students would change their preferred learning country if post-study visa opportunities existed. As a result, the options include aspects like lower saving for student visas (58 percent) and lesser visa charges (57 percent).

A chance to get a permanent residency is also considered essential, 43% of International students mention this aspect when choosing a country to study. This comes at a time when countries such as Canada, Australia has begin limiting the number of international students and limiting the working rights of international students after their studies hence forcing such students to look for other countries to study in.

Speaking at the 2024 officials’ annual conference of the Association of Independent Education Councils in Melbourne, the director of partnerships and external relations Joanna Storti pointed to the focus on consumer preferences during the crisis. “With such information,

Emerging Futures assists in resolving disparities between global education offerings and student preferences,” she said.

Storti invited conference attendees to “lean in and listen” to student concerns raised due to programs’ shifting policies. IDP Connect’s Simon Emmett agreed, stating that in light of uncertain policy environments students are seeking more stability based on the data presented in the research.

They are useful for global education as the institution seeks to provide for the need that the prospective students might have in the international education systems.