Universities across the world's four biggest English-speaking study destinations, Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the U.S., reported declines in international student enrolments for the January-March 2026 intake, according to a global survey.
The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey report, based on responses from 254 universities across 36 countries, including 49 in the U.S., 24 in the U.K., 13 in Canada and nine in Australia, found that the "Big Four" destinations experienced contractions in both undergraduate and postgraduate enrolments compared to the same intake period last year.The survey, conducted by Studyportals, international education platform NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and partner organizations, said the downturn was driven largely by tightening visa policies, political uncertainty and rising living costs.The U.S. and Canada recorded some of the sharpest drops. International student enrolment at U.S. universities for the 2026 spring semester fell 20% year-on-year for bachelor's programs and 24% for master's programs. In Canada, the respective declines were 24% and 19%.The U.K. followed with an 11% drop in undergraduate enrolments and a 15% decline at postgraduate level.Australia recorded a 1% fall in new international undergraduate enrolments for spring 2026, while new postgraduate enrolments dropped 16%.
