Aspiring international students remain committed to their global study goals and are willing to vaccinate and quarantine
in return for on-campus study and the experience of living abroad, despite the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has
presented.
Although the majority (75 per cent) of students expect to commence their studies as planned, student confidence has
dropped by five per cent since the October 2020 study, suggesting some students are growing tired of the uncertainty and
prolonged disruption.
While there has been much debate on whether an online offering can truly replace the on-campus experience, the survey
findings reinforced that students want traditional face-to-face learning, with only 10 per cent of students stating they
will commence a course entirely online.
Demonstrating students’ resilience and willingness to compromise, 43 per cent of respondents said they would start
online only if the course later transitioned to face-to-face. While 31 per cent of students said they would defer until
face-to-face teaching became available, 11 per cent remain undecided as to whether they would start online or wait for
face-to-face and four per cent will withdraw their application if the situation does not improve.
Respondents stated the lack of the international experience was the key factor stopping them from commencing online-only
study, and 39 per cent of students reported they were likely to switch destination if it meant they could access
face-to-face learning earlier. Furthermore, 30 per cent of respondents said they would switch destinations to undertake
face-to-face teaching even if this meant forgoing a scholarship offer.
The findings form part of the fourth instalment of IDP Connect’s International Student Crossroads research, which
examined the attitudes and behaviours of international student applicants and offer holders as well as current students.
The latest research surveyed more than 6,000 respondents from more than 57 countries, all of whom hold aspirations or
current applications for studying at higher education institutions in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom
and the United States.
The study also found the majority of international students (55 per cent) have revealed they will get a COVID-19 vaccine
as soon as possible, suggesting destinations which insist on vaccinations were not deterring students. A further nine
per cent have already been vaccinated and 30 per cent remain hesitant, stating they need more information about the
vaccines before taking their next steps – highlighting a communications priority for governments and institutions. The
remaining six per cent stated that they are willing to wait until Vaccine Passports are no longer needed.
Student perceptions of the destination countries were also tested and overall, Canada received the highest rating –
particularly for its policies for international students and post-study work visas, while the US continued to lag in
last place. New Zealand was rated as having responded best to the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by Australia. The UK was
perceived to be the middle of the pack in almost all categories.
Andrew Barkla, CEO of IDP Education, said although the results only showed a marginal decline in students’ confidence in
being able to commence their studies as planned since October 2020, countries that were lagging in catering for
international students needed to move swiftly.
“Urgency is key. Countries such as Australia need to give students reassurance and outline a roadmap for how
international students are able to enter the country safely and commence on-campus learning, and a timeline for a return
to face-to-face learning,” Mr Barkla said.
“The research clearly shows that an online offering cannot replace the on-campus experience, nor is it what the majority
of students want.
“Students have shown a real willingness to quarantine and vaccinate and are open to starting their studies online. This
flexibility and commitment should be repaid with clear and welcoming policies that acknowledge their enormous
contribution to the Australian community.
“Canada continues to set the tone in its progressive policies and communication with students, but this approach can be
and should be adopted by all major study destinations.
“As countries recover from the impacts of COVID-19, study destinations must be able to articulate their unique education
offering in order to remain competitive on the global stage,” Mr Barkla said.