🌏 3 Scenarios for International Education in 2030
With the QS Global Student Flows Report out now and the Back to School Summit coming September 9–11, 2025, the next few months will be pivotal for shaping strategy in a rapidly evolving education landscape.
Hello 👋
By 2030, QS forecasts that there will be approximately 8.5 million international students around the world, but what happens next depends on how universities respond to both the challenges and the opportunities ahead. The first in our Global Student Flows report series takes a worldwide view of international student mobility. We map where students are studying and why, detailing three evidence-based scenarios to help you strength test your strategy.
This Week's Highlights
🔎 Three Scenarios for International Ed in 2030. Access our latest global student flows report
🎓 Global Student Flows Insight Series. In-depth regional reports and webinars throughout 2025
🌏 In the News. Rising undergrad applications in the UK, Australia advances new initiatives, and US leaders open new investigations
🔎 3 Scenarios for Global Student Flows
Our 2025 forecast projects approximately 8.5 million international students by 2030, representing a CAGR of just below 4%. Between 2020 and 2025, student priorities significantly evolved, reflecting a deeper focus on outcomes and institutional reputation. Powered by QS, Global Student Flows sets out 3 future scenarios and 15 key drivers shaping global student mobility to 2030.
Global Student Flows maps 4,000 mobility routes across 80+ countries – combining simulation, policy expertise, and indications of shifting demand.
🎓 Global Student Flows Insight Series
Forecasting thousands of student flows from 2,500 cities, 15 core drivers, 3 scenarios, 1 million simulations – analysed by global experts in policy, economics, and higher education. Throughout 2025, we will release 12 incisive reports and expert-led webinars - featuring forecasts through 2030, market intelligence to inform your TNE strategy, rankings analysis, and much more.
💬 2025 Back to School Summit
Join 700 university leaders, industry CEOs, investors, and philanthropists at the 2025 Back to School Summit, September 9–11 in New York City 🇺🇸. Two full days of high-impact presentations, private roundtables, fireside chats, and curated networking with top companies, global foundations, and major institutional investors.
Connect with us for the 2025 Sponsorship Brochure for deeper partnerships.
🌏 Europe and Central Asia
🇬🇧 UK sees 2.2% rise in international undergraduate applications for 2025/26
🇩🇪 Germany offers fully funded Master's degrees to developing countries via DAAD Scholarship
🌎 North America
🇺🇸 Trump administration launches new investigation into Harvard's visa sponsorship eligibility
🇨🇦 Canada's international student program to face federal audit
🌏 East Asia and Pacific
🇦🇺 Australia's IRU and RUN push for 'Sustainable and Equitable' international education system
🇦🇺 Australian government prioritizes integrity in international education with forthcoming ESOS Act Reforms
Thank you for reading!
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