🌏 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. US funding freeze disrupts universities, India expands global education footprint, and Pakistani students boost mobility to key Western markets
🔎 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.
🌎 North America
🇺🇸 UCLA halts faculty hiring as Trump admin demands $1B to restore frozen research funds
🇺🇸 US revoked 6,000+ student visas in 2025 amid criminal and security concerns
🌏 East Asia and Pacific
🇰🇷 US–Korea celebrate 75 years of Fulbright and 30 years of education reform
🌏 South Asia
🇮🇳 EaseMyTrip takes 49% stake in Sydney-based Planet Education, expanding into international student services
🇮🇳 UK universities target GIFT City for branch campuses and postgraduate programs
🇵🇰 Pakistani students drive growth in UK, US, and Germany; Canada and Australia face visa and policy limits
Thank you for reading!
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