campusreview . com . au international education
The vaccine rollout has brought some sense of hope for a return to normality .
light on students ’ attitudes towards mental health provision , the influence of parents on study destination decisions , and priorities regarding online learning ”.
Shot in the arm
Vaccination rollouts influence choice of study destination .
By Wade Zaglas
New data from Quacquarelli Symonds ( QS ) has concluded that improved vaccination rollouts across the European Union could provide a boost for international student recruitment .
This is in stark contrast to Australia ’ s international student sector , which remains beleaguered by closed or severely restricted international borders and a sluggish vaccination rollout .
The Navitas March survey of nearly 900 agents made clear that they “ have all but written off the southern hemisphere ’ s academic year ”, with only four per cent believing travel to Australia will be possible in the second half of 2021 . The gloss of an Australian education appears to have temporarily rubbed off , with traditional competitors including the US , the UK and Canada receiving far more favourable recommendations .
“ In contrast , ten times as many agents would consider it almost certain that students would be able to travel to Canada ( 39 per cent ) or the UK ( 45 per cent ),” Navitas said .
“ As for the first half of 2022 , 28 per cent of agents believe travel to either Australia or New Zealand will be ‘ almost certain ’ – much more prospective than 2021 , but much less likely than the UK ( 64 per cent ) or Canada ( 59 per cent ).”
New research from QS , the higher education think-tank and compilers of the QS World University Rankings , has found that “ more than half ( 57 per cent ) of prospective students said they had reconsidered where they want to study ” based primarily on the way different countries have managed the COVID-19 pandemic and its new variants .
However , the survey found that the prospects of attracting students to some European countries appear grim . For instance , “ only 12 per cent of prospective international students believe that EU countries have best handled the vaccine distribution , with Germany being the only EU country to appear in the top ten list of best performing countries ”.
The EU version of QS ’ annual International Student Survey ( ISS ) is the world ’ s largest survey of “ pre-enrolled international students looking to study outside of their home country ”. A record 105,083 students from around the world took part in this year ’ s survey , with almost 30,000 of them stating they were interested in undertaking their studies in the UK .
One of the report ’ s key recommendations is that EU governments should improve their vaccination programs in order for universities to return to oncampus , face-face learning modes at the beginning of the 2022 academic year . The survey also revealed a generally positive response from international students regarding global vaccination programs , with most accepting their necessity and efficacy . Additionally , the report “ shines a
OTHER KEY INSIGHTS FROM THE ISS
• Nearly three-quarters of prospective international students would receive a vaccine if offered to them , and 20 per cent said they would “ bring forward their plans to study abroad ” once vaccinated .
• Although 28 per cent of EU international students thought their university has been “ extremely ” or “ very ” effective in providing mental health support during COVID-19 , a third ( 33 per cent ) said requesting such help would make them feel “ uncomfortable ”.
• Current international students in the EU generally rated their universities ’ online learning favourably , with 69 per cent classifying it as extremely or very effective .
• While nearly half ( 46 per cent ) of prospective international students were content to commence their studies online if it meant they could begin their courses sooner , 80 per cent of the same cohort would expect a discount on their tuition fees .
• Just shy of three-quarters of future international students will consult their parents regarding overseas studies , with exactly half saying their parents ’ opinions would shape their decisions .
• Quarantining in Schools of Residence was more popular ( 67 per cent ) than quarantining in hotels for international students arriving in the EU . In reflecting on this year ’ s survey , QS Director of Marketing Paul Raybould said :
“ As the sector continues to navigate the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic , the vaccine rollout has brought some sense of hope for a return to normality in the near future .
“ For European institutions to capitalise on this opportunity , it is vital that vaccination rollouts continue to make progress , unhindered by delays . This makes the continued close collaboration between the sector and policy makers in both national governments and EU institutions vital .” ■
9