Chinese and Indian student numbers in Australian universities drive strong growth, while enrolment slows from other key markets
The latest statistics released by IDP Education Australia on the number of newly-enrolled full-degree international students in Australian universities support the trends which were forecast two years ago in IDP’s Global Student Mobility 2025 research study.
IDP’s latest preliminary report on international student numbers in Australian universities released today shows that in Semester 1, 2004, there was a total of 192,460 international students enrolled in Australian universities – across all modes of study – representing an annual growth rate of 10.2 per cent.
However the report also reveals that the number of commencing full-degree students from China and India grew by 47.3% and 51.9% respectively, while enrolments from Australia’s traditional markets in South East Asia had slowed. “This is consistent with IDP’s forecast that by the year 2025 more than half the demand for international higher education in Australia will come from East Asia (31%) and South Asia (22%),” said IDP’s Chief Executive Ms Lindy Hyam.
Ms Hyam said these latest statistics indicate that Australian education institutions are facing strong competition in the region from other destination countries, in particular the United Kingdom. “As well, deliberate efforts by a number of South East Asian countries to attract international students and develop as ‘educational hubs’ are influencing students’ decisions,” she said.
According the IDP report, overall annual growth in onshore enrolments at Australian universities stood at 12.7%. However trends in transnational student numbers (international students studying at offshore campuses of Australian universities, through twinning arrangements, online or by distance) were mixed, according to Ms Hyam.
“For example while the total number of Malaysian students enrolled in Australian university transnational programs continued to grow (up by 16.3 per cent from Semester 1, 2003 to Semester 1, 2004), this growth was not replicated in the other two large transnational markets for Australian universities, namely Singapore and Hong Kong,” said Ms Hyam.
In fact the number of Hong Kong and Singaporean students enrolled in transnational programs offered by Australian universities fell by 12.3 per cent and 4.8 per cent respectively over the same period, according to the IDP report, while the number of Chinese transnational students grew by 12.7 per cent.
IDP believes the slow down in the number of new international students coming to Australian universities from some South East Asian countries is the result of a number of factors.
“The higher value last year of the Australian dollar has had an impact in Malaysia, structural changes in Hong Kong have affected the market there, and many Indonesians are exploring alternative study options in other Asian countries. In Thailand partnerships with Australian institutions are offering students many local options, while Singaporeans also have increased local alternatives. In recent months the value of the Australian dollar has stabilised to close to average level since floating, and I am expectant of a positive market reaction over the next 12 months with a pipeline of new students through to 2005 and 2006,” said Ms Hyam.
Ms Hyam believes that institutions should take a long-term view. “We need to be innovative in how we market Australian education overseas in light of the increased competition. We must also provide students, who are now much more sophisticated and savvy, with more detailed information about specific courses under consideration so they can make informed choices. IDP is rolling out a series of new initiatives to attract students to Australia including a new student web portal ( http://students.idp.com), incentives to encourage students to choose to study in Australia, and the promotion of Australia’s specialised and unique fields of study through our “Excellence Australia: Quality in Education” marketing campaign,” she said.
Selected statistics from "International Students in Australian Universities" Semester 1, 2004
Total international student enrolment in Australian universities (all modes of study)
|
Country |
Onshore students |
Transnational students |
|
S1, 2003 |
S1, 2004 |
S1, 2003 |
S1, 2004 |
|
China |
15376 |
22052 |
6020 |
6785 |
|
Malaysia |
12360 |
12841 |
11244 |
13072 |
|
India |
7467 |
11269 |
831 |
1032 |
|
Hong Kong |
9382 |
10525 |
14931 |
13098 |
|
Indonesia |
9261 |
8895 |
787 |
947 |
|
Singapore |
9142 |
8644 |
15268 |
14530 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total all countries |
115365 |
130006 |
59312 |
62454 |
Commencing international onshore full degree students in Australian universities
|
Country |
Semester 1, 2003 |
Semester 1, 2004 |
Change |
|
China |
6290 |
9265 |
47.3% |
|
India |
3331 |
5059 |
51.9% |
|
Malaysia |
4311 |
3859 |
-10.5% |
|
Hong Kong |
3074 |
2784 |
-9.4% |
|
Singapore |
2849 |
2704 |
-5.1% |
|
Indonesia |
2648 |
2401 |
-9.3% |
|
Thailand |
1568 |
1389 |
-11.4% |
|
South Korea |
1127 |
1203 |
6.7% |
|
Canada |
895 |
1032 |
15.3% |
|
Japan |
861 |
1007 |
17% |
|
|
|
Total all countries |
39805 |
42423 |
6.6% |
The complete IDP statistical report “International Students in Australian Universities – National Overview” for Semester 1, 2004 is available to the media on request. IDP also produces State Reports for New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
