The Dispatch
Off the beaten track
Emerging study destinations
With negative policies and rising costs in traditional destination countries make headlines, new players are emerging to attract international students.
By Seb Murray
"Higher education is advancing rapidly in China."
As tuition costs rise or visa restrictions tighten in traditional study locations like the UK, Canada and Australia, emerging destinations are stepping in to attract international students with more affordable options and friendlier immigration policies.
Countries such as China, Germany, France, Japan and the Netherlands are becoming increasingly popular choices for students from Malaysia, Singapore and India, offering a mix of cost savings, scholarships and career opportunities.
China, for one, has seen a surge in interest from Malaysian students, with numbers growing from 1,800 in 2007 to about 10,000 in 2023, according to the Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China-Malaysia.
The key appeal? Lower tuition fees and living costs compared to places like the UK or Australia, the latter grappling with a housing crisis.
Su Yingying, Dean of the School of Asian Studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, said in China Daily: “Higher education is advancing rapidly in China, with many majors now becoming internationally competitive. At the same time, China provides a safe study environment and relatively lower tuition fees, compared to other countries. These factors make China an attractive destination for Malaysian students.”
Chinese universities, particularly prestigious institutions like Tsinghua and Peking, are gaining international recognition and offering scholarships that make studying in China even more attractive. China saw the biggest jumps in places in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Peking is ranked 14th worldwide, with Tsinghua in 20th place.
Another factor is that, with China as Malaysia’s largest trading partner, graduates with a Chinese education are in demand, especially with Chinese companies operating across Southeast Asia.
“Malaysian students with Chinese study experience are highly sought after by Chinese companies, significantly enhancing their employment prospects,” said Lim Kok Yan, President of the Association of Graduates from Universities and Colleges of China-Malaysia, in an interview in The Straits Times.
The Malaysian government is, meanwhile, in talks to bring Chinese university campuses to the country, a move likely to fuel further the trend of Malaysian students flocking to China.
“The trend has been increasing and I expect it will continue to do so, as China’s universities and various government entities have been providing generous scholarships,” Ngeow Chow Bing, director of the Institute of China Studies at the University of Malaya, said in a Straits Times piece.
Meanwhile, Singaporean students are increasingly turning to countries like the Netherlands, Germany, France and Japan, moving away from the traditional choices of the UK, US and Australia, according to The Straits Times.
Why? The appeal of lower tuition and living costs, along with a growing number of English-taught programs. For instance, studying in Japan can cost less than half of what it would at a top British institution.
European countries like France and Germany stand out due to government subsidies that keep education costs low for international students. On top of that, many students are drawn to the cultural immersion and personal growth that comes with living in a non-English-speaking country.
“Most of my friends who went to the UK, US and Australia – they come back almost the same as they were, but I was a really different person after my studies,” Stella Darmawan told The Straits Times, who pursued a double degree in political science and economics from Sciences Po (France) and Keio University (Japan).
"Curtailing growth in the A$48bn international education sector risks our nation’s ambition."
However, traditional destinations like Australia and the UK remain attractive to some Singaporeans, largely due to their established reputations, strong job markets and large expat communities that offer a sense of familiarity.
“If I were to tell people in Singapore that I studied in Ireland, and they were well versed in my field, many would instantly know which university I went to,” said Asten Yeo, a 2023 graduate of Trinity College Dublin’s medical school.
Indian students are also branching out, looking beyond traditional destinations and opting for countries like Germany, France, the UAE and Finland, according to a report from Acumen, which surveyed Indian education agents.
While two-thirds of agents still view the US, UK and Australia as top study destinations for Indian students, 82 percent and 73 percent now see Germany and France as key emerging markets. Dubai (50 percent) and Finland (41 percent) also follow closely behind.
Lower fees, easier application processes and job opportunities are drawing Indian students to these newer destinations, the report stated.
While these emerging study hubs are on the rise, traditional destinations are facing challenges. In the UK, new immigration rules, including a ban on international students bringing family members, could cost universities up to £5bn in lost tuition fees over the next decade, according to government estimates.
The aim is to reduce net migration, but critics argue these policies could further strain universities already facing financial pressures.
“We need to continue to be very clear about the magnitude and urgency of the funding sustainability challenge that so many of us are having to confront on a daily basis,” said Sally Mapstone, president of Universities UK and vice-chancellor of St Andrews in Scotland.
She added: “Our universities generate over £14 of economic impact for every £1 of funding. This is around eight times higher than the average return of £1.80 for each £1 of public investment for other government projects between 2010 and 2022.”
Canada is also tightening its immigration policies, imposing a two-year cap on international student visas, cutting the intake by 35 percent. The government introduced this measure to address the country’s housing crisis, as rising rents and limited housing have sparked concerns.
However, universities warn this cap could lead to major financial losses, especially since international students are a key revenue source.
Canadian immigration lawyer Daniel Kingwell said: “It’s a question of trying to have our cake and eat it, too. We don’t want to raise taxes that fund universities and colleges, we don’t want to raise tuition to the full market level, so we subsidize it with more and more foreign students.”
Meanwhile, Australia is planning to reduce its intake of international students by a third, capping it at 270,000 starting next year. This move, aimed at addressing concerns about immigration and housing costs, has sparked fears within the education sector, with universities warning of serious budget shortfalls and potential job losses.
Australia’s sizable international education industry is said to be at risk, and experts fear the cap could hurt the country’s reputation as a top destination for students.
“Curtailing growth in the A$48bn international education sector risks our nation’s ambition,” said David Lloyd, Chair of Universities Australia in Financial Times.
Now, countries like China, Germany, France and Japan are positioning themselves as more affordable, culturally enriching alternatives to traditional study hubs.
For international students, these new options mean they can get a quality education without the burden of massive debt, while gaining valuable cultural and language skills that could boost their future careers.
As these emerging study destinations continue to grow in popularity, traditional countries like the UK, US, Canada and Australia may find themselves facing increasingly stiff competition.