Tag: Asia

  • key headlines from East and Southeast Asia

    key headlines from East and Southeast Asia

    From China’s TNE reforms, to Japan’s internationalisation push, East Asia is in the midst of a drive to attract more international students. Meanwhile, Southeast Asian countries are deepening higher education links with the UK and Australia while seeking to attract international students themselves.

    Here’s The PIE’s pick of the biggest international education stories of the region from the year that’s just gone.

    1. Universities across ASEAN join forces to strengthen HE collaboration and partnerships

    At the ASEAN Universities Exhibition and Forum 2025, which brought together universities from across Southeast Asia, more than 10 collaborations were signed between ASEAN institutions, highlighting growing regional cooperation in higher education. The forum also emphasised a collective commitment to strengthening Asia’s position as a “rising contender” to the traditional big four study destinations.

    Key announcements included the soft launch of the ASEAN Global Exchange for Mobility & Scholarship (ASEAN GEMS) platform and the launch of the ASEAN Student Mobility Program in collaboration with Universiti Utara Malaysia and 13 Malaysian universities, with transnational education being underscored as a “key pillar” of the region’s higher education future.

    2. East Asian countries view internationalisation as key to sustaining regional economic growth

    In 2025, most East Asian countries were clear that international students and intra-regional mobility are key to sustaining strong economic growth. The “Asian tigers” — Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore — have been central to this shift, with places like Hong Kong actively diversifying their student body to include learners from India, Nigeria, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and other emerging markets.

    While enrolments from East Asia to UK universities remain steady, rising price sensitivity and expanding regional options are reshaping student flows. At the same time, uneven wage growth across East Asia has coincided with student mobility within the region growing faster between 2013 and 2020 than mobility to major English-speaking destinations.

    3. Malaysia’s rise as Asia’s “belle of the ball” for international students

    The Southeast Asian country has seen a 26% rise in international applications over the past two years and has set a target of hosting 250,000 international students by 2030.

    With the majority of applications coming from China, India, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Pakistan, the Malaysian government announced plans last year to introduce a centralised system aimed at streamlining international student admissions, alongside collaboration with source countries to ensure a “smooth and secure” process.

    Moreover, Malaysia is seeking to grow recruitment from Central Asia and Africa, though the planned introduction of a 6% service tax on private education services for non-Malaysian students has raised concerns about the destination’s long-term attractiveness.

    4. Chinese student demand softens for the Big Four, especially the US

    A July 2025 webinar confirmed what many had long suspected: China is no longer the “easy goldmine” it once was. Chinese students are increasingly opting for alternatives closer to home, with countries like the US and Canada seeing notable declines in Chinese enrolments, while destinations such as the UK, Australia and New Zealand have shown opposite trends.

    This shift comes as China issued warnings to its student nationals in April last year to exercise caution when planning to study in certain US states following the passage of Ohio’s higher education bill, which restricts Chinese partnerships.

    At the same time, the Trump administration pledged to “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese students with links to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in “critical fields”, although the President has since defended Chinese students as an important part of the US higher education system on separate occasions.

    5. China aims to expand TNE enrolments from 800,000 to eight million within a decade

    In 2025, China’s education ministry announced a series of updates to its TNE policy during a briefing for international diplomatic missions, as part of efforts to scale up TNE enrolments nationwide.

    The revised framework eases several restrictions, including removing the 1,200-student enrolment cap previously applied to joint education institutes and programmes. It also expands flexibility beyond the traditional 4+0 model to include 3+1 and other blended formats that allow students to spend part of their studies overseas, while enabling institutions to submit multiple applications within a single approval cycle.

    Against this backdrop, a Universities Australia delegation led by chair Carolyn Evans and supported by CEO Luke Sheehy visited Shenzhen and Beijing in October 2025 to renew partnerships in education, research and innovation, with the aim of deepening cooperation in areas critical to both countries, including clean energy, advanced manufacturing, health and technology.

    6. Japan moves to increase international students and researchers

    Japan’s Ministry of Education (MEXT) is planning to raise enrolment caps at select institutions to boost international student numbers.

    Under the proposals, some universities, junior colleges and technical colleges would be allowed to exceed their enrolment limits by up to 5% from the next academic year, starting in April 2026. The move forms part of the government’s push to meet its target of attracting 400,000 international students by 2033.

    In parallel, Japan has launched a new program aimed at attracting overseas researchers to 11 institutions as it seeks to position itself as a world-class research hub. Led by MEXT, the initiative will see ¥3.3bn allocated across the universities to support researchers over the next three years.

    7. South Korea hits 300k international student goal two years ahead of schedule

    International student enrolments in South Korea surpassed 300,000 for the first time in August 2025, according to government immigration data, with more than a third of students coming from Vietnam. Chinese students made up 28% of the total, followed by smaller cohorts from Uzbekistan, Mongolia and Nepal.

    The growth has been driven largely by government policy, particularly the launch of the “Study Korea 300K” initiative in 2023, which aimed to reach the target by 2027.

    Measures under the strategy included easing financial requirements for D-2 student visas, expanding permitted working hours during study, extending post-study job-seeking periods, and stepping up recruitment in Southeast and Central Asia. Universities were also given greater flexibility to introduce English-taught programmes and strengthen student support.

    However, challenges remain, with experts pointing to a lack of clear pathways linking international students to employers. Students and the labour market remain largely disconnected, even as around 90% of international students hope to stay and work in South Korea after graduation.

    8. China rolls out K visa in bid to attract international talent

    Effective since October 1, the K visa is open to international youths with undergraduate or STEM degrees from leading domestic and global research institutions, as well as early-career professionals engaged in education and research in STEM fields.

    The visa is designed to offer greater convenience through multiple entries, longer validity, and extended stay durations, while also facilitating exchanges and collaboration across education, science, technology, culture, business, and entrepreneurship, with applications assessed based on age, education, and work experience rather than requiring sponsorship from a local enterprise.

    The move comes amid declining interest in pursuing artificial intelligence degrees in the US, alongside growing interest in studying AI in China. The K visa is being seen as a significant step in China’s efforts to attract young international science and technology talent and challenge US technological leadership.

    9. Monash opens second Malaysia campus amid Australia’s Southeast Asia push

    Monash University Malaysia will partner with TRX City, developer of Kuala Lumpur’s Tun Razak Exchange, to deliver its RM2.8 billion (USD $1bn) investment in a new campus aimed at deepening engagement in the ASEAN region.

    Scheduled to open in 2032, the campus will eventually accommodate 22,500 students and 1,700 staff, featuring cutting-edge research centres in energy transition, health, AI, and data science.

    The move aligns with Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040, which seeks to strengthen ties between Australia and Southeast Asia across education, agriculture, and resources.

    10. TOEIC cheating in Japan raises questions about paper-based test delivery

    Japan cancelled 803 TOEIC scores following a student’s arrest for cheating, prompting a review of tests taken since May 2023.

    The testing company said maintaining the integrity and fairness of its assessments is a top priority, with security measures described as “multilayered” and “regionally adaptive”.

    11. China and Japan warn students about safety in each other’s countries

    Last year, China and Japan issued safety warnings for students amid rising diplomatic tensions. China’s Ministry of Education cited “social unrest” and increasing crimes against Chinese nationals in Japan, while Japan advised its citizens in China, particularly students, to exercise extra caution and said it was working to ensure their safety.

    The warnings followed Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi’s statement that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could threaten Japan’s survival, prompting Beijing to call the remarks “brazenly provocative”.

    With over 123,000 Chinese students in Japan and more than 10,000 Japanese students in China as of May 2024, both countries are now expected to see a decline in student enrolments.

    12. First UK-Australia university campus opens in Indonesia

    The Deakin Lancaster Indonesia University (DLI) campus, first announced in January 2024, officially opened in Bandung, West Java, on February 26, 2025.

    The campus represents the first UK-Australian transnational education (TNE) partnership in Indonesia, allowing students to complete dual undergraduate degrees from Deakin University and Lancaster University without leaving the country.

    13. Vietnam’s growing international education strategy and UK partnership gain traction

    Vietnam aims to increase international students from 0.5% to 1.5% of enrolments and improve the global standing of its universities, targeting top-500 positions worldwide and top-200 in Asia. The government’s 2030 strategy focuses on advancing education, science, research, and innovation, with a vision extending to 2045.

    Separately, Vietnam is opening its doors to UK institutions to establish branches and expand operations, as the country positions itself as an emerging hub for international education.

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  • Cracking the South Asia recruitment challenge – why the right partner matters

    Cracking the South Asia recruitment challenge – why the right partner matters

    For international universities and colleges, South Asia – and particularly India – represents one of the largest and fastest-growing student recruitment markets in the world. The potential is undeniable, but the reality is complex.

    Navigating multiple languages, diverse cultures, varied academic systems, and rapidly shifting student trends requires more than just an occasional visit or a handful of agent agreements.

    Finding the right partner in this environment is not just important – it’s essential.

    The challenge: a crowded and complex market

    South Asia’s education recruitment ecosystem is vast. Students are spread across metropolitan hubs and smaller regional cities, each with different aspirations, financial capabilities, and destination preferences. The agent network is equally varied – from well-established consultancies to smaller, informal setups.

    For many institutions, this creates two critical challenges:

    1. Transparency – Ensuring that the institution’s brand is represented accurately and ethically across the market.
    2. Visibility – Reaching the right students, in the right regions, with the right message.

    Without an in-market presence and strong, vetted networks, institutions often struggle to build trust and sustain engagement at scale.

    Why a local strategic partner is essential

    Working with a dedicated South Asia marketing partner bridges this gap. The right partner acts as the institution’s eyes, ears, and voice on the ground – maintaining brand integrity while expanding outreach.

    A strong local partner can:

    • Streamline agent management – Recruiting, training, and monitoring a reliable network of student recruitment agents.
    • Strengthen market visibility – Ensuring the institution’s programs are consistently promoted to the right audience across multiple regions.
    • Provide real-time market intelligence – Sharing insights on policy changes, student preferences, and competitor activity.
    • Enhance conversion rates – By ensuring that marketing efforts and agent networks are well-aligned with institutional goals.

    Navigating multiple languages, diverse cultures, varied academic systems, and rapidly shifting student trends requires more than just an occasional visit or a handful of agent agreements

    Landmark Global Learning — one roof, complete solutions

    With over 18 years of experience, Landmark Global Learning offers international universities and colleges a single-window solution for the South Asia market. Our approach is built on:

    • Established networks – A trusted, long-standing network of trained recruitment agents across India and other South Asian countries.
    • Transparent operations – Clear reporting, ethical representation, and measurable results to ensure partner confidence.
    • Regional expertise – Deep understanding of both Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities, allowing institutions to tap into emerging student segments.
    • Targeted outreach – Combining on-ground events, digital campaigns, and institutional tie-ups to maximise visibility.

    Whether a university is entering the South Asia market for the first time or looking to strengthen its footprint, Landmark provides the infrastructure, relationships, and market knowledge to make it happen efficiently.

    Maximising visibility in the right way

    One of the biggest pain points for international institutions is getting noticed by the right students. Many spend time and resources on generic campaigns that fail to reach high-intent applicants.

    At Landmark, we focus on:

    • Localised marketing strategies tailored to different student demographics.
    • Partnerships with schools, colleges, and education fairs that bring direct engagement opportunities.
    • Digital targeting that aligns with student search behaviour in the region.

    The result? Increased brand presence, better-qualified leads, and stronger enrolments.

    A partnership for long-term growth

    In an increasingly competitive global education market, institutions cannot afford to be invisible in a region as critical as South Asia. The right partner ensures not only market entry but also sustained growth, brand protection, and student success.

    With its proven track record, extensive network, and commitment to transparency, Landmark Global Learning stands ready to be that partner – delivering all the solutions international universities need, under one roof.

    A journey of impact and vision

    From a small consultancy in Punjab to being the first student recruitment company listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange, Landmark Global Learning’s journey is a testament to resilience, vision, and a relentless focus on student success.

    With over 35,000 successful admissions and partnerships across 200+ global institutions, our mission remains clear: to bridge the gap between talent and opportunity. What started 18 years ago with a single office is today a network of 15+ branches across India, making international education accessible even in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

    For me personally, education has never been just a business – it’s a passion to transform lives. I began this journey as a young professional balancing multiple jobs, driven by a belief that ‘education is not just about admissions – it’s about creating futures.’ That belief continues to guide us as we embrace innovation, whether through AI-driven counseling tools, school partnerships from Grade 9 onwards, or full-spectrum student support covering admissions, accommodation, education loans, and career guidance.

    At Landmark, we don’t just send students abroad; we shape futures — with integrity, innovation, and care.

    About the author: Jasmeet Singh Bhatia is the founder and director of Landmark Immigration, with over 18 years of experience in international education and immigration consulting. A study visa expert and PR strategist, he has mentored thousands of students in achieving academic and career goals abroad. Known for his principle-based approach and strong industry partnerships, he continues to shape global futures through personalised guidance and strategic insight.

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  • How the BCA could reshape UK university recruitment in India and South Asia

    How the BCA could reshape UK university recruitment in India and South Asia

    When the UK government unveiled its immigration white paper in May, my first reaction was simple: “A step in the right direction.”

    Buried among the many proposals, five key policy reforms stood out for their potential to reshape international student recruitment for UK universities. The headline-grabber on social media was the shortening of the Graduate Route from 24 months to 18 months. But, truth be told, that’s not the change keeping universities awake at night.

    The real shake-up comes from the Basic Compliance Assessment (BCA) reforms, expected to roll out in September 2025, which will prove especially tough for smaller universities.

    What’s changing?

    From next year, UK universities sponsoring international students will face much stricter BCA benchmarks:

    • Visa success rate: At least 95% of students issued a CAS must obtain their visa (up from 90%).
    • Enrolment rate: Of those, 95% must enrol on their course (up from 90%).
    • Completion rate: At least 90% must complete the course (up from 85%).

    On paper, these increases might look like small percentage rises. In practice, they’re a gamechanger.

    Why this is big

    For years, many universities in the UK, both modern and traditional alike, have operated just above the current BCA thresholds, leaving little leeway for the inevitable drop-outs, deferrals, or visa refusals, especially from high-risk regions such as South Asia and Africa.

    According to a recent story published by The PIE, quoting analysis from ApplyBoard’s study on visa refusal rates between Q1 2024 and the same period in 2025, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh saw a notable decline in visa grant rates.

    Pakistan’s visa grant rate fell from 82% to 74%, while the other two countries saw even sharper declines: Bangladesh dropped 15 percentage points from 78% to 63%, and Nepal fell by 14 percentage points from 98% to 84% during the same period.

    But now, with the bar raised, there’s far less margin for error. To comply, universities will have to halve their visa refusal rate from 10% to 5% and simultaneously boost enrolment and completion rates. That means rethinking recruitment pipelines, especially in regions like South Asia and Africa, where volumes are high but visa risks can be significant.

    The good news, though, is that some of the biggest countries in high-risk regions, such as India, Nigeria and Ghana, have seen a marginal increase in visa grant rates, providing a sigh of relief for universities heavily recruiting from these countries.

    Why smaller universities are nervous

    Large universities enjoy a buffer. Recruit 10,000 international students in an intake, and a 5% refusal rate gives you room for up to 500 refusals before you breach the threshold.

    Small universities, however, don’t have that luxury. If you enrol fewer than 100 international students, even a handful of refusals could push you into the danger zone. This forces smaller institutions to be extremely selective, tightening quality control on applications and perhaps narrowing the recruitment pool altogether.

    It’s worth considering whether the MAC and UKVI might allow different levels of flexibility for smaller institutions. Applying the same standards across the board could be unfair, as not all institutions recruit in the same way or at the same scale.

    A small, specialist provider in creative or performing arts, for example, will naturally draw fewer students than a comprehensive university offering everything from anthropology to zoology. Even among smaller universities, subject mix matters, as one with business, engineering and computing courses is likely to recruit far more students than another of the same size focused on niche disciplines such as veterinary science or agricultural studies.

    The bottom line?

    While the Graduate Route change has stolen the spotlight, the new BCA rules may well prove the bigger disruptor. For universities in the UK and recruiters in India and South Asia, September 2025 isn’t far away. The scramble to adapt has already begun.

    How the BCA could reshape international recruitment

    The impact of these changes will likely be felt in four major ways.

    First and foremost, managing recruitment agents will become significantly more crucial. With visa refusal rates coming under intense scrutiny, universities will increasingly demand stricter compliance and accountability from their recruitment partners.

    This will likely lead to more thorough vetting processes for agents, more stringent contractual agreements, and widespread implementation of standards such as the Agent Quality Framework (AQF).

    Agents with consistently poor performance, particularly those associated with high visa refusal rates, will face swift removal from university-approved lists.

    While the exact timeline for these changes is not yet clear, the immigration white paper also suggested the possibility of introducing a public “traffic light” system to display the BCA data of the universities transparently.

    It would therefore be reasonable to expect a similar public database for recruitment agents available in the public domain, allowing universities easier access to detailed track records of agencies. This increased transparency will empower institutions to make more informed decisions about which agents to collaborate with.

    Second, admissions processes will become more selective. This means deeper scrutiny of financial documents, academic readiness, and genuine study intent before issuing a CAS. Universities may introduce additional pre-CAS interviews, English proficiency re-checks, or even conditional academic bridging programs to ensure higher completion rates.

    Selective treatment may be reintroduced as a strategy once again. Historically, many global universities have adopted region-specific recruitment policies, tailoring their approaches to different cities or states within the same country. These variations are often influenced by factors such as past visa approval rates, the academic calibre of students from particular areas, and key market insights.

    In a vast and diverse market like India, this approach becomes especially relevant. Universities tend to exercise greater caution when recruiting from certain states compared to others, reflecting the complex demographic, economic, and educational landscape of the country.

    This nuanced strategy allows institutions to optimise their recruitment efforts by focusing resources where the chances of success are higher, while managing risks in regions with less favourable indicators.

    Finally, market focus could shift. Institutions heavily reliant on high-risk markets may diversify towards countries with stronger visa success rates, while in South Asia, universities may work more closely with fewer but higher-quality partners. In practice, this might mean fewer students being offered places, but with higher confidence that those who arrive will stay the course.

    In essence, the proposed changes to the BCA thresholds signal a fundamental shift in how international student recruitment is approached. Rather than focusing primarily on sheer volume or the quantity of students recruited, the emphasis is moving decisively towards quality, ensuring that students admitted meet higher standards and contribute positively to the university community and the broader educational ecosystem.

    This shift challenges universities to rethink their recruitment strategies, prioritising compliance, student success, and sustainable growth over simply hitting numerical targets. For institutions within the prestigious Russell Group as well as others across the sector, the ability to swiftly adapt to these new expectations will be critical.

    Those that embrace the change and implement robust quality-focused recruitment processes will be the ones best positioned to maintain strong and healthy intake numbers in the evolving landscape. Ultimately, the future belongs to universities that recognise the importance of quality over quantity and act accordingly.

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  • Julian Hill addresses The PIE Live Asia Pacific

    Julian Hill addresses The PIE Live Asia Pacific

    The post Julian Hill addresses The PIE Live Asia Pacific appeared first on The PIE News.

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  • Agent Advisory Groups set to strengthen UK-East Asia recruitment links

    Agent Advisory Groups set to strengthen UK-East Asia recruitment links

    Addressing the audience at the British Council’s East Asia Education Week 2025, held in Hong Kong, Xiang Weng, visa outreach officer for South China/ West China/ Hong Kong and Macau Visa, British Consulate – General Guangzhou, described a “new concept” which would see agent advisory groups set up to enhance collaboration.

    “One of our colleagues from Vietnam set up what we call our Agent Advisory Groups and tested the concept there. Now, we plan to expand it across the rest of East Asia,” said Weng.

    “By having these advisory groups, UKVI can build a much stronger connection with agents, gain valuable local intelligence, and share insights with our Home Office colleagues. This will help us introduce and improve our visa services across the region.”

    Though UKVI didn’t confirm plans to introduce agent advisory groups in the broader East Asian region to The PIE News, it noted that it continually works with overseas stakeholders, including the British Council, to support prospective students by addressing their questions about the UK visa system.

    Over the years, Vietnam has played a pioneering role in the UK’s efforts to increase transparency among agents in East Asia. 

    By having these advisory groups, the UKVI can build a much stronger connection with agents, gain valuable local intelligence, and share insights with our Home Office colleagues.

    Xiang Weng, British Consulate-General Guangzhou

    Just last year, over 130 education advisers in Vietnam earned the prestigious “I am a UK-certified counsellor” badge, as part of the Agent Quality Framework, showcasing their expertise and deep understanding of the UK as a study destination.

    According to Weng, the concept’s success in Vietnam can be emulated in the broader East Asian region. 

    Though visa approval remains high in East Asia, students still fall victims to common mistakes, she explained.

    “Some students forget to provide a TB (tuberculosis) certificate or evidence of finances which can impact their applications,” stated Weng. 

    “In countries like Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, China, and Hong Kong, when applying for a student visa, you only need to submit your passport and TB certificate. That’s it. You don’t even need to apply for IELTS or provide evidence of finances.”

    Though visas challenges have not proved to be a major barrier for UK universities accessing the East Asian student market, intra-regional mobility and price concerns are leading to fluctuations in demand for UK education, as reported by The PIE News. 

    According to Daniel Zheng, managing director, HOPE International Education, safety concerns and career prospects have also become key factors influencing student choices in East Asia, particularly in China.

    To tackle these challenges, UK universities are increasingly turning to in-house employability services and other affordability options for international students. 

    “In terms of affordability, many UK universities, including ours, have in-house employability service teams. Their role is to enhance students’ employability and expand their career opportunities after graduation,” stated Scarlett Peng-Zang, East Asia regional head, University of Nottingham. 

    “So I believe that there’s something everyone is working on regarding addressing the economic uncertainty. I found lots of UK universities offer alternative payment options to improve affordability. So is the same for Nottingham University.”

    As rankings of East Asian universities rise and the countries set mammoth targets for international students, agencies are also looking inward for recruitment opportunities, expanding beyond the UK. 

    “In the past six months, my colleagues and I have traveled to Singapore and Malaysia three times, visiting UK university campuses like Southampton and Nottingham, as well as boarding schools like Epsom College,” stated Zheng.

    “This indicates that there is significant interest – not just from us, but also from our partners and institutions – in the Malaysian market, particularly from China.”

    These changing trends come at a time when UK institutions are under pressure to measure the return on investment of their agents, according to Fraser Deas, director, client success, Grok Global. 

    “We are noticing that UK institutions are under pressure to measure the ROI of their agents. How can we work with them, along with in-country staff, to ensure that agencies provide evidence that these partnerships are going well? There’s important work to be done in that sense,” stated Deas. 

    “I think there is a genuinely good understanding in the sector of the difference between in-country staff and agents. The role of a third party should be to facilitate that relationship without interfering, but it remains very important.”

    Agents and universities having a direct relationship has also become important for UK-East Asia relations, with organisations like BUILA demonstrating how agents can be compliant with the UK National Code of Ethical Practice as the Agent Quality Framework comes in focus. 

    As per Dave Few, Associate Director, Jackstudy Abroad, while education agents are already performing well, there is a concern about maintaining quality as more agencies enter the market, particularly through aggregators.

    “In my unbiased perspective, I think agents are already doing a fantastic job. The key factor is the quality of information – ensuring that as the barrier for entry for new agencies lowers through aggregators, the quality remains consistent,” stated Few. 

    “Whether that means requiring a year of training from the very beginning or another measure, the priority should always be keeping the student at the heart of the conversation, not revenue.”

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