Vision 2020: Forcasting international student mobility - a UK perspective (693KB)

This innovative report presents new research and forecasts concerning the demand for higher education places throughout the world by international students. It is the result of close collaboration by the British Council, Universities UK and IDP Education Australia.

The findings are based on detailed analysis of demand for places in the English speaking destination countries from 144 countries.

Some key forecasts include:

			Global demand for international student places in English speaking destination countries is likely to increase from the current 1 to 2.6 million by 2020
			East and South Asia will account for the majority of the new demand, with China and India being the largest
			Demand for UK higher education student places from the EU Accession States is likely to treble by 2010
			Demand for higher education programmes delivered internationally (e.g. through distance learning, etc.) could quadruple by 2020
			By 2010, there will be more international postgraduate than undergraduate students in the UK

The report was launched at a seminar in London on 20 April 2004 and has given rise to very significant publicity in the media. The forecasts are detailed and cover in particular:

			Projections of total international student flows and proportions travelling to the Main English Language Destination Countries
			Demand for higher education programmes by subject and level
			Demand for international higher education programmes delivered in students' own countries through distance learning and related approaches
			Other factors, including funding, gender and equity considerations
			Supply constraints; equity and diversity; the role of partnerships and the private sector, etc.

Although this study has primarily focused on the international demand for higher education, there are direct implications for the further education sector and for ELT providers.

The report is available to all UK education providers.