Discover what 254 institutions are revealing about global enrolment trends
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The Jan–Mar 2026 intake shows a sector under pressure, but not a sector without hope.
Enrolments fell across much of the English-speaking world. Visa uncertainty, rising costs, and policy instability took a real toll. But universities in Europe and APAC bucked that trend.
Across regions, the positive influences on enrolments came down to what institutions chose to do: launching new programmes, reaching into new markets, and meeting students where they were.
The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey exists to help institutions make sense of what is happening around them and to separate the challenges they can act on from the ones they cannot. Because the right response to a shifting landscape is not to wait it out. It is to understand it better, and move faster.
Download the Global Summary Report to find out more
Subject areas to watch in 2023
Growing subject areas where the demand for Bachelor's and Master's programmes outstrips supply .
What participants are saying
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We work closely with universities and other HEd institutions around the world to guarantee their ROI based on result-based services focused on growing and optimising student recruitment efforts.
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The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey
Global summary report
Jan-Mar 2026 Intake
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The Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey
Global summary report
Jan-Mar 2026 Intake
Watch how we analysed the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey findings with university leaders. See the trends in student mobility, regulatory challenges, and what's coming next for global enrolment.
Global Enrolment Trends and the Future of Higher Education: Insights and Strategies for 2025
What can I expect from my tailored benchmark report
Participating in our survey ensures a tailored benchmark report to your institution.
The data presented in this mockup is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect actual results from any institution. These figures are entirely fictional and should not be interpreted as real survey findings.
Participating in our survey ensures a tailored benchmark report to your institution. You can see how your university compares to the others in your region.
Participate in our survey and claim your benchmark report now.
What can I expect from my tailored benchmark report?
Watch how we analysed the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey findings with university leaders. See the trends in student mobility, regulatory challenges, and what's coming next for global enrolment.
Global Enrolment Trends and the Future of Higher Education: Insights and Strategies for 2025
"It tells how we're comparing with what's going on in the sector, not just in the UK but globally."
Bobby Mehta, Pro Vice -Chancellor,
University of Portsmouth
*for illustrative purposes only
Add a report table of contents, cover??
See how your university compares to your peers and to institutions globally.
Universities worldwide are already participating
779
85
3
institutions
taking part
countries
past editions
What’s in my benchmark report?
The data presented in this mockup is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect actual results from any institution. These figures are entirely fictional and should not be interpreted as real survey findings.
See how your university compares to your peers and to institutions globally.
85
779
countries
institutions
taking part
Universities worldwide are already participating
past editions
3
What’s in my benchmark report?
See how your university compares to your peers and to institutions globally.
"It tells how we're comparing with what's going on in the sector, not just in the UK but globally."
Bobby Mehta, Pro Vice -Chancellor,
University of Portsmouth
"It tells how we're comparing with what's going on in the sector, not just in the UK but globally."
Bobby Mehta, Pro Vice-Chancellor
University of Portsmouth
Supporting Partners
Supporting partners
Watch this insightful webinar on demand, where we delved into the findings of our Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey with university leaders. Discover the trends in student mobility, impact of regulatory challenges and the future of global enrolment.
Our higher education experts have shared their perspectives on the sector’s most pressing challenges and discussed actionable strategies to navigate the complexities of the higher education market”
Wondering what our highly experienced higher education experts think of Insights & Strategies for 2025?
Why participate?
1. See how your enrolments compare to similar institutions
Get a tailored report showing exactly where you stand.
2. Adjust your strategy in time
Get real-time data instead of waiting months for outdated national statistics.
3. Know what's coming your way
See what obstacles and opportunities institutions like yours are facing so you can plan ahead.
Why participate?
1. See how your enrolment compares to similar institutions
Get a tailored report showing exactly where you stand.
2. Act while there's still time
Get real-time data instead of waiting months for outdated national statistics.
3. Know what's coming your way
See what obstacles and opportunities institutions like yours are facing so you can plan ahead.
Why participate?
3. Know what's coming your way
See what obstacles and opportunities institutions like yours are facing so you can plan ahead.
3. Know what's coming your way
See what obstacles and opportunities institutions like yours are facing so you can plan ahead.
1. See how your enrolments compare to similar institutions
Get a tailored report showing exactly where you stand.
3. Plan for what's ahead
Address the obstacles and opportunities in your sector so you can plan ahead.
1. See how your enrolment compares to similar institutions
Get a tailored report showing exactly where you stand.
1. See how your enrolment compares to similar institutions
Get a tailored report showing exactly where you stand.
3. Know what's coming your way
See what obstacles and opportunities institutions like yours are facing so you can plan ahead.
2. Adjust your strategy in time
Get real-time data instead of waiting months for outdated national statistics.
3. Know what's coming your way
See what obstacles and opportunities institutions like yours are facing so you can plan ahead.
3. Plan for what's ahead
Address the obsticles and opportunities in your sector so you can plan ahead.
The data presented in this mockup is for illustrative purposes only and does not reflect actual results from any institution. These figures are entirely fictional and should not be interpreted as real survey findings.
What stood out about the results of the survey from the January to March 2026 intake?
The survey included 254 institutions across 36 countries reporting on their January to March 2026 intake. It's the second intake period of the year, accounting for 31% of English-taught programme start dates globally.
Mixed enrolment trends by region
The ‘Big Four’ saw declines in enrolment while Europe and APAC (excl. Australia) saw growth.
Policy and visa barriers drive enrolment decline
67% of universities mentioned these issues as having the biggest negative influence on enrolments.
Institutional strategy drives growth
Where institutions report enrolment gains, these are overwhelmingly tied to factors they can directly influence.
What stood out about the results of the survey from the January to March 2026 intake?
The survey included 254 institutions across 36 countries reporting on their January to March 2026 intake. It's the second intake period of the year, accounting for 31% of English-taught programme start dates globally.
Budget cuts loomed many institutions
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, 67% of Canadian institutions anticipated budget cuts, compared to 38% globally. Diversification into new markets was cited as the most universally anticipated strategy among responding institutions.
Mixed enrolment trends by region
The ‘Big Four’ saw declines in enrolment while Europe and APAC (excl. Australia) saw growth .
Budget cuts loomed many institutions
Looking ahead to the next 12 months, 67% of Canadian institutions anticipated budget cuts, compared to 38% globally. Diversification into new markets was cited as the most universally anticipated strategy among responding institutions.
Policy and visa barriers drive enrolment decline
67% of universities mentioned these issues as having the biggest negative influence on enrolments.
Institutional strategy drives growth
Where institutions report enrolment gains, these are overwhelmingly tied to factors they can directly influence.
The benchmark report has been helpful for me to better understand the international education landscape in order to develop strategies that best serve our institutional goals. I’ve also been able to share this information with my office leadership to help expand their knowledge and familiarity with current issues.
Senior Associate Dean of International Admission, US Institution
The reports are a great overview on a very broad and global level. You get a glimpse of what's going on in different parts of the world and I think it is a nice, quick way to do that.
Mats Engblom
Marketing Specialist, University of Helsinki
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
The benchmark also highlights the direction in which communication and recruitment strategies at other institutions are evolving, helping us determine where we should strengthen our profile in the future.
Catherine Näpflin
The benchmark report has been helpful for me to better understand the international education landscape in order to develop strategies that best serve our institutional goals. I’ve also been able to share this information with my office leadership to help expand their knowledge and familiarity with current issues.
Senior Associate Dean of International Admission, US Institution
The reports are a great overview on a very broad and global level. You get a glimpse of what's going on in different parts of the world and I think it is a nice, quick way to do that.
Mats Engblom
Marketing Specialist, University of Helsinki
The benchmark also highlights the direction in which communication and recruitment strategies at other institutions are evolving, helping us determine where we should strengthen our profile in the future.
Catherine Näpflin
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
No January-March intake?
Pre-register your interest for the Aug–Oct 2026 intake and we'll notify you when the survey opens.
Want to learn more? Check our webinar!
Register for 'Global enrolment trends: Strategies driving enrolment in challenging times' where we delve into the findings of the Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey for the January - March 2026 intake. Discover key trends in student mobility, the impact of regulatory challenges, and what actions are actually working to boost enrolments.
Want to compare your international student enrolments to real-time enrolment data from across the world?
Want to compare your international student enrolments to real-time enrolment data from across the world?
Contribute to our next Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey.
Contribute to our next Global Enrolment Benchmark Survey.
June 4 | 16:00 CET (10:00 EST / 15:00 GMT)
June 4 | 16:00 CET (10:00 EST / 15:00 GMT)
