New international student numbers have plunged by as much as a third at universities in NSW and Victoria this year compared with pre-pandemic levels, fuelling warnings the sector faces a shakeup as other countries aggressively market their open borders to students.
Australia’s closed borders and hotel quarantine caps have kept international students out of the country, forcing universities to scramble to offer online-only courses in a bid to keep their existing high-fee paying students and sign up new ones. Many institutions slashed jobs and froze capital spending in 2020, with peak bodyuniversities’ operating revenues collectively fell 4.9 per cent, or $1.8 billion.
Group of Eight chief executive Vicki Thomson said about 35,000 Chinese students enrolled across the eight universities had continued their studies online from China, but the challenge was now in recruiting new students while other countries were “aggressively marketing” their open-border policies.“COVID is not a barrier to entry for international students. They are still going to the US, they are still going to Canada, they are still going to the UK and Europe.
The University of Melbourne said its overall international enrolments remained stable compared with the same time last year, but were running 9 per cent lower than pre-COVID times. UQ vice-chancellor Deborah Terry said the “stronger than expected” enrolments could be partly attributed to a backlog of students who initially deferred their studies last year but had since taken up studying online.
Aussies should have some empathy, it's not about unis losing money,intl students who are unable to travel to finish their edu are facing depression, anxiety ,suicidal thoughts,we invested alot in Aus, just have our money returned and ban us , we'll go to UK, they r welcoming
Universities have been complacent while overseas students served as Golden goose. Time to put serious thoughts into true education. Not the $$.
Other countries like UK, Canada, NZ and USA are very happy to welcome Chinese students, they are not dumb as many racist Australians
Fees will increase Australian kids won’t be able to afford university
Good. Stay away. The Aus education sector has been far too reliant on foreign students. Time to focus on demanding excellence of opportunity for local students, at universities AND at TAFEs.
Fantastic. The International student trade is a cover for selling permanent residency. Standards have collapse as revenue from this ‘export’ sector has risen. Universities should focus on eduacating local students and ditch thier current business model of selling visas.
Cue the RWNJ comments