A QS research published in Winter 2020 shows the effect of Covid-19 over the intentions of prospective students worldwide.

QS (Quaquarelli-Symonds) is a London-based private company mainly known for its yearly “Topuniversity” rankings.

The coronavirus, or COVID-19, has radically transformed sectors across the globe, and higher education is no exception.

From closing campuses to investing in online learning and supporting isolating students and staff, universities have quickly responded and adapted to this new normal. Looking towards the next academic year, many institutions are concerned about their international student recruitment in this restricted global climate.

In a pandemic-characterised world, most Chinese students are underway to rethinking their education choices. And the decisions that students are making this year will have far-reaching implications over the September 2021 intake, and beyond.

Of course, HEIs which are dependent on foreign students will be the first to be affected. For example, this is particularly true to a neighbour country such as Australia. The slowdown in foreign student enrolments means Australian universities are facing a revenue hit of between A$3.1 billion and A$4.8 billion (£1.7 – £2.6 billion) per year, Catriona Jackson, Reuters reports.

According to statistics released by the Chinese Ministry of Education, from 1978 to the end of 2012, over 2.6 million Chinese studied abroad. This means that China is the world’s biggest source of international students. And this is true for Italy as well.

Download the full QS research here.