The following article is adapted from the 2026 edition of ICEF Insights magazine, which is freely available to download now.Over the past few years, it has become more difficult for many students in emerging markets to study in Big Four destinations (i.e., Australia, Canada, the UK, and the US).In response to greater levels of public concern about immigration, governments in Australia, Canada, and the UK have launched measures such as caps on new enrolments; higher financial requirements and visa application fees; a narrower band of post-study work opportunities; stricter rules around accompanying family members; higher compliance standards for institutions hosting…

Stakeholders across India, South Asia, China and South Korea spoke to The PIE News about the key developments shaping Asia’s global education landscape in 2025 and what could be built on in 2026. With emerging study destinations beyond the big four, families and students from India are showing “growing maturity” in their education decisions, increasingly evaluating outcomes, especially around employability and market relevance, according to Aritra Ghosal, founder and director, OneStep Global. “While the UK, Canada, Australia, and the US continued to attract students, countries such as Germany, Ireland, Finland, and New Zealand gained greater attention for very specific reasons,”…

The data, published by Harvard last week, revealed a modest increase of roughly 50 more international students than the previous year, despite repeated attempts by the government to strip the university of its ability to enrol students from overseas.   Chinese student enrolment grew by 4.5% from the previous year, totalling nearly 1,500 students and comprising the largest international cohort at Harvard. Enrolments from South Korea also saw a notable growth rate of nearly 9% from 2024.   In contrast, Indian student enrolments fell by more than 30% and totalled 545 students, bucking nationwide trends that have seen India rise above China as the US’s largest source market in recent years.   Regarding Chinese students “risk tolerance is higher than many observers…

As Indian student numbers in Ireland grow at a record pace, a post by an Indian graduate on Reddit is drawing attention to a gap between expectations and outcomes that official enrolment data does not always show.The student, who completed a Master’s in Computer Science at the University of Galway in 2025, wrote a blunt warning to prospective applicants: “Do not move here with a student loan.”His admission comes at a time when Indian students have become the single largest international group in Irish higher education. According to data by ApplyBoard, enrolments from India rose by nearly 30% in 2024-25…

_Anti-immigration rallies_ around Australia in late August and mid-October exposed public divides over migration, social cohesion and national identity. A repost from 7 November 2025 The rise of anti-immigration sentiment underscores a fragile consensus – while multiculturalism remains official government policy, its meaning and legitimacy are increasingly contested. Public reactions to the protests were sharply divided.  Some argued that the protesters voiced legitimate concerns about the cost of living, housing affordability and growing pressures on infrastructure and resources, while  others contended that the rallies played into the racist agendas of white supremacists and neo-Nazis. In contrast to divided public opinion, political leaders’ views…

1st Call Recruitment is seeing more of a downturn in the job market now than during the global financial crisis. File photo Photo: 123rf The prime minister claims jobs for young people are still out there, but one of NZ’s largest recruitment agencies says the employment market is the tightest it has been in decades. The government plans to means test the parents of 18 and 19-year-olds applying for a JobSeeker benefit. If the parents make about $65,500 combined, their teenager will not be eligible for a benefit. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has told young unemployed people to get off…

Fair Work Ombudsman – Workplace essentials for young workers and international students and future webinars – 10/10/2025The Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) have advised that a webinar recording is now available on the FWO’s YouTube Channel covering workplace essentials for young workers and international students.  Please note the webinar recording will be available until 5 January 2026. We encourage you to share this recording with your students.   The webinar provided important information to help students understand their workplace rights and entitlements, including:  minimum pay and conditions under Australian workplace laws  how to identify and address common workplace issues  where to go for help…

The past few years have brought intense scrutiny to international education. Governments and regulators are asking whether we are doing enough to protect students, uphold quality, and ensure fairness for both international and domestic students. These are necessary questions. But the solution will not come from regulation alone. The most effective safeguard for integrity is trust: trust that students receive impartial advice, that institutions welcome well-matched candidates, and that the sector acts in students’ long-term interests. Without trust, students hesitate, institutions lose confidence, and the system weakens. With it, the entire sector is strengthened. This is the theme at the…

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