According to an article on Bunshun Online (October 22, 2024), the proportion of international students at the University of Tokyo is increasing considerably, mainly Chinese. First of all, what is the actual situation of the number of international students in developed countries?
The percentage of international students is one of the important indicators that symbolizes the internationalization of higher education institutions in each country. In particular, universities in developed countries are actively accepting international students, and the proportion varies greatly depending on each country’s educational policy and geographical and cultural background. Below, we will take major developed countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and Japan as examples, and compare the status of international student acceptance in each country.
USA
The United States is the country that accepts the most international students worldwide. According to data from the Institute of International Education (IIE), approximately 1 million international students were studying in the United States in 2019. This accounts for approximately 5.5% of the total college student population in the United States. The proportion of international students is particularly high in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) fields, and this proportion tends to rise even further at the graduate school level. By country, there are a particularly large number of international students from China and India, with Asia being the main sending region.
American universities are attractive for their world-class educational standards and high research environment, making them a top choice for many international students. Also, the fact that English is widely used as a lingua franca is a major factor for international students. However, issues include stricter regulations on visa acquisition and stay for international students, and high tuition fees.
UK
The UK is also one of the world’s leading countries in accepting international students. According to data from the Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA), there were around 600,000 international students enrolled in UK higher education institutions in 2020-2021, representing around 22% of the total number of students. Educational institutions in the UK include world-famous universities such as the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and it is characteristic that many students wish to study abroad at these universities.
The overwhelming majority of UK international students come from China, followed by India. Particularly in recent years, with the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union (Brexit), the number of students from the EU has decreased, while the number of international students from Asia and other regions has increased. Furthermore, as part of its “Global Britain” strategy, the British government is developing policies to encourage the acceptance of international students, including easing work visa requirements for international students.
Germany
Germany is popular around the world as it is a country that offers high quality education and many universities accept international students with free or low tuition fees. According to 2020 data, there were approximately 320,000 international students enrolled at German universities, accounting for approximately 11% of the total. There are many international students from countries such as China, India, and Türkiye, but there are also many students from European countries.
German university education is highly rated, especially in the fields of engineering and natural sciences, and many international students study at technical universities. In addition, although most classes are taught in German, in recent years the number of programs offered in English has increased, which further supports the acceptance of international students.
France
France has historically been a center of culture and the arts, and many international students come to study these fields. According to data from the French Ministry of Education, there are approximately 360,000 international students enrolled in France, accounting for approximately 10% of all students. In particular, there are many international students from French-speaking countries in Africa, with Morocco and Algeria being the main sending countries.
French universities also often have relatively low tuition fees, which is an attractive factor for international students. Additionally, in recent years an increasing number of courses have been offered in English, opening the door to students whose native language is not French.
Canada
Canada is one of the countries that is very active in accepting international students, taking advantage of its characteristics as a multicultural society. Approximately 530,000 international students were studying in Canada in 2020, accounting for approximately 16% of the total student population. There are particularly many international students from China and India, and students from the Philippines and South Korea are also notable.
The appeal of Canada is its safe environment, natural environment, and bilingual education in English and French. In addition, the Canadian government has a lenient immigration policy towards international students, and the process of obtaining a work visa or permanent residence after graduation is relatively easy, so many international students seek a career in Canada.
Australia
Australia is also a popular country for international students. There are approximately 400,000 international students enrolled in Australian higher education institutions, representing approximately 27% of the total student population. The overwhelming majority of international students are from Asia, with students from China and India in particular accounting for nearly half of the total.
Australian universities have a strong international reputation, particularly in the business and engineering fields, and are also known for their warm climate and high quality of life. In addition, the government is promoting policies that provide employment opportunities for international students, which is a big advantage for international students.
Japan
Japan has also been increasing its acceptance of international students in recent years. According to data from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, approximately 300,000 international students were studying in Japan in 2020, and the ratio of international students to the total number of students is approximately 5%. The majority of students are from Asian regions such as China, Vietnam, and Nepal. Chinese students in particular are a large group, accounting for more than half of all international students in Japan, and many Chinese students are enrolled at major universities including the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.
Japanese universities have a high reputation in the fields of technology and economics, with engineering programs being particularly popular. Additionally, in recent years, the number of educational programs taught in English has increased, opening the door to international students from non-Japanese speaking countries. However, since Japan has a short history of accepting international students compared to other developed countries, issues have been pointed out regarding support systems and cultural adaptation for international students.
Background and impact of accepting international students
The reason behind countries actively accepting international students is not only to promote academic international exchange, but also to economic aspects. International students not only contribute to the economy of their host countries through tuition income and living expenses, but are also expected to bring new vitality to the labor market of their countries as excellent human resources. Particularly in science and engineering fields, international students often play a role in research and innovation, and their presence is a factor that increases international competitiveness.
On the other hand, as the number of international students increases, there is a need to respond to cultural diversity and strengthen support systems for student life. International students often face difficulties in academics and daily life due to language and cultural differences, and educational institutions in each country need to strengthen their support.
Conclusion
Although the ratio of international students to university students in developed countries varies depending on each country’s policies and educational systems, one thing in common is that the importance of international students is increasing overall. Countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom already accept large numbers of international students at a high rate, but other countries are also increasing their acceptance of international students. In Japan as well, universities are becoming more international due to the increase in the number of international students, and there will be a need for further enhancement of support systems in the future.