With the approach of the new academic year, students and staff across the globe are facing complex challenges as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a major impact on higher education. The use of technology for online education has never been more important. Will we ever go back to the physical classroom? What is the impact of COVID-19 on international students worldwide?

Institutions have published a number of analyses and forecasts on the possible impact COVID-19 has on international higher education. Let us go through some of them.

Key survey results

According to the latest QS analysis, 61% of prospective international students state that the coronavirus has affected their plans to study abroad. Of those respondents, 55% intend to defer or delay their entry until next year. Interestingly, the proportion of those who are looking to study in another country is increasing (12% in August) after having dramatically declined between February and March (falling from 32% to 8%).

Between 20th of March and 10th of April, Studyportals conducted an online survey amongst prospective international students. The survey showed that overall 36% of students are considering changing their study plans. This percentage increased from 31% after week 1 to 40% after week 4. Out of the 36%, 50% will postpone their enrolment to next year.

Education.com has an ongoing survey of international students across the world. Studying abroad remains at the top of many students’ bucket lists, but COVID-19 has complicated the question of when and how they will make it happen. According to the results so far, 42% of students intend to postpone their study abroad plans at a later date.

The fact that the number of international students postponing their studies can go up to 61% is alarming for schools.

Have you conducted your own survey? How is it with you? Let us know in the comments!

Thanks for taking the time to read our blog post on the impact of COVID-19 on international students worldwide. At faethe.marketing we have been helping schools get more students through international recruitment even during the COVID-19 pandemic. So if you are looking to recruit more students for your programmes with minimal cost and effort, feel free to reach out to us.