The year 2024 has been a whirlwind for the International education sector – full of new immigration policies, sweeping changes to international student enrolments and proposed overhauls to English language testing.
It many ways, it’s been a year defined by dramatic changes in the four major study destinations – Canada, Australia, the US and the UK – as each saw major political upheaval or new legislation to keep the general public onside as anti-immigration rhetoric swells.
But looking back over The PIE’s most-read stories of the year shows that less traditionally popular destinations, such as Singapore and Germany, are also becoming dominant forces within the sector.
Here, we unwrap the major news stories of 2024 and why they resonated so much with The PIE’s readers.
- UK increases international student maintenance requirements
You know what they say – show me the money. And the UK’s Home Office seemed to take this to heart in September when it increased the financial savings requirement needed by international students coming to the country for the first time in 2020. The new rules mean that students coming to London will have to show that they have £1,483 per month coming into their bank account, whereas for those planning to study outside of the capital, this number will be £1,136 per month.
It marked the first time since 2020 that the UK raised the financial threshold for international students, with the rules coming into effect on January 2, 2025.
- US restricts study abroad for F-1 visa holders
In a rather baffling move from the US, The PIE reported in October that international students would no longer be able to study outside of the country for longer than five months, or else risk their student status. As many programs include a study-abroad element, some stakeholders suggested that the change could have been an unintended consequence of changes to the policy for F-1 visa holders planning to be out of the country for more than five months at a time – which prior to that was not extended to international students.
But in a triumph for The PIE, Minerva University and other stakeholders that raised the alarm, the US government revised the policy just three months later.
- IRCC ends ‘grandfathering’ for study permit extensions
As part of a slew of immigration changes affecting international students in 2024, in November the IRCC revealed that those who want to change their program of study and need to extend their study period will no longer be able to do so without meeting new rules to qualify for a postgraduate work permit (PGWP). Before the new rules, which came into effect on November 1, all students who had study permits were ‘grandfathered’ onto PGWP eligible – but the changes mean that students will lose this status if they change their study programs.
- Singapore eases PR rules for international students
In August, Singapore highlighted itself as a major player in the International education landscape when it made it easier for international students to qualify for permanent residency. Now, student pass holders can apply for permanent residency in the city-state if they pass at least one national exam or if they are in an integrated program.
It marked a significant departure from the previous rules, which made international students wait at least two years after graduation to apply for the status.
- Indian students flock to Europe as big four falter
As a major source market for international students, all eyes have been turned towards India – especially at how prospective students from the country would choose where to study in light of significant policy shifts in traditional study destinations. But data shows that European countries such as Germany, Italy, France, Finland, and Ireland are experiencing a record number of students from India.
- Canada caps could be “final nail in the coffin” for Indian students
After Canada moved to restrict international study permits for the second time towards the end of 2024, stakeholders warned that India, as one of the largest source markets for the country, could face the pointy end of the new rules. Experts predicted that – faced with stricter immigration policies – students would instead look to European nations such as Germany or France.
- UK Home Office plans overhaul of Secure English Language Testing
In September, the UK’s Home Office revealed radical plans to move towards a government-backed Secure English Language Test (SELT) developed by one supplier, and away from the current model, which relies on multiple such suppliers. Dubbed the HOELT, the new test with its contract worth an estimated £1.13 billion would be split into two facets: the development of a test and its facilitation around the world. Now, new details on the HOELT have come to light, including a timeline for its introduction and further information on its relation to study visas.
- ESOS setback sparks fresh fears over Ministerial Direction 107
The ESOS Amendment Bill – which was created to see Australia’s international student enrolments capped from next year – has seen its fair share of controversy and drama. While initially the Bill looked sure to be passed through the Senate, towards the end of 2024 it became apparent that it did not have the support it needed to become law. Since then, the Australian government seems to have looked for other ways to bring in a de facto cap on international enrolments, with a new visa processing directive (Ministerial Directive 111) prioritising the issuance of student visas until each institution reaches 80% of the enrolment cap it was handed under the ESOS plans. - MAC recommends retaining UK’s graduate route
The long-awaited Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) Review of the UK’s graduate route marked a major win for the sector when it recommended keeping the route in place. Amid growing hostility towards international students in political rhetoric of the time, the MAC had been expected to recommend scrapping the graduate route – yet the report found that it “broadly achieved, and continues to achieve, the objectives set by this government”. - Germany reaches record high with 380k international students
As Germany grows in popularity as a study destination, it has started to attract record numbers of international students. Data from DAAD revealed that in the winter term of 2023/24, the country recorded a whopping 379,000 international student enrolments.
