Executive Summary
This week’s international higher education developments centre on mobility policy resets, market contraction pressures, and shifting student flows. The UK signalled renewed outward and inward mobility ambitions with a major Erasmus+ funding commitment for 2027, while parts of Europe and Canada grapple with the consequences of restrictive enrolment policies. Canada’s international student cap has now triggered institutional closures, sharpening warnings about talent pipeline damage. In the US, experts caution that policy volatility is likely to shrink the international scholar pool despite short-term stabilisation. Market intelligence highlights growing mismatches between institutional recruitment practices and student expectations, alongside intensifying competition for mobile students.
Key themes: mobility policy resets, market contraction pressures, shifting student flows
Regions covered: UK, EU, Canada, US, Global
What is new and why it matters
UK government backs major Erasmus+ budget for 2027
Regions: UK, EU
Impact: L&T, IntEd Mgmt, Admin/PS
The Department for Education urged universities to think big as it highlighted a "colossal" Erasmus+ budget for 2027, reinforcing the UK’s intention to re-engage deeply with European mobility frameworks.
Why it matters:
- Universities: Opportunity to rebuild exchange volumes and curriculum-integrated mobility.
- International offices: Need early pipeline planning and partner reactivation.
- EdTech and AI: Increased demand for scalable mobility management, credit recognition, and inclusion tools.
Sources:
Netherlands records third straight year of falling international enrolments
Regions: Netherlands, EU
Impact: IntEd Mgmt, Admin/PS
Despite demographic decline domestically, international enrolments continue to fall, with hopes pinned on a forthcoming national talent strategy.
Why it matters:
- Universities: Revenue and programme viability risks increase.
- International offices: Recruitment challenges intensify amid policy constraints.
Sources:
Canada’s international student cap forces first public provider closure
Regions: Canada
Impact: Admin/PS, IntEd Mgmt, L&T
Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology announced closure as enrolment caps bite, marking a turning point in the policy’s system-level consequences.
Why it matters:
- Universities: Heightened financial and workforce risk, particularly for skills-focused institutions.
- International offices: Shrinking pathways and reputational risk in key source markets.
Sources:
Canada struggling to attract and retain global talent post-cap
Regions: Canada
Impact: Research, IntEd Mgmt
ICEF analysis shows that recent reforms met some policy goals but weakened Canada’s attractiveness for students and skilled migrants.
Why it matters:
- Universities: Long-term research capacity and talent pipelines are at risk.
- International offices: Recruitment messaging faces increased scepticism.
Sources:
US international scholar pool likely to shrink amid policy volatility
Regions: US
Impact: Research, Admin/PS
Stakeholders warn that uncertainty around visas and funding will deter scholars despite recent modest growth.
Why it matters:
- Universities: Threats to research output and international collaboration.
- International offices: Increased complexity in scholar support and planning.
Sources:
Recruitment engagement gap widens between institutions and students
Regions: Global
Impact: IntEd Mgmt, Admin/PS
Survey data show institutions lagging student expectations on responsiveness and service quality amid fiercer competition.
Why it matters:
- Universities: Recruitment outcomes increasingly hinge on service quality.
- International offices: CRM and communications capacity become critical.
- EdTech and AI: Growing demand for ethical CRM and multilingual engagement tools.
Sources:
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Brief date: 2026-02-13
