The PIE News

UK study visa applications this year have dropped by a third compared to 2025, as new Home Office data reveals the fewest April applicants in five years. hubs.li/Q04gBPqQ0

King’s College London and Cranfield University have announced plans to merge in 2027, with university leaders saying the move would create a globally competitive institution spanning engineering, defence, environmental science and business education. hubs.li/Q04gyS510

New Zealand’s international education recovery is accelerating, with enrolments climbing 11% year-on-year to reach 92,580 students in 2025, according to new figures from Education New Zealand (ENZ). hubs.li/Q04gpnvp0

The head of America’s notorious Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has called the US post-study work program a “magnet for fraud”, vowing to “relentlessly investigate” students and employers. hubs.li/Q04gpbvp0

Education New Zealand has published the top-performing agents for nine source countries based on application volume and visa approval rates. The data also reveals a higher visa approval rate for agent-linked applications than in previous years. hubs.li/Q04gpt8D0

This week, we spoke to Samrat Ray Chaudhuri of Webster University about remaining nimble in the face of unpredictability and why more needs to be done to articulate the value of hybrid education. hubs.li/Q04gpb5b0

Study Group has been acquired by Arete Education, the higher education venture backed by Global University Systems (GUS) and Brightstar Capital Partners. hubs.li/Q04g34tq0

A new report from the UCL Policy Lab argues that UK universities must take the lead in rebuilding public trust and renewing their civic purpose if they are to thrive in the years ahead. hubs.li/Q04fMx4z0

Finland’s government has suggested new legislation that could see international students lose their residence permits if they access social assistance, as part of a wider crackdown on income-related challenges. hubs.li/Q04ftHx30

New Zealand has signed an annex on student mobility and post-study work rights with India, alongside a new skilled employment pathway – with stakeholders citing strong demand while seeking greater clarity and a shift in perception on Indian applicants. hubs.li/Q04fsLT00

As headwinds mount, university leaders are under more pressure than ever to run a tight ship. But there's not just one right way to lead a higher education institution, says Diana Beech. hubs.li/Q04fsfBS0

ETS, TED and the Khan Academy have jointly launched a new AI degree model at a fraction of traditional college costs, vowing to create a globally accessible education pathway backed by global corporate giants. hubs.li/Q04f7xr-0

European countries are increasingly looking beyond their borders to recruit international students, signalling a shift towards global competition, a report by the European Association for International Education (EAIE) has found. hubs.li/Q04f6FhN0

Nepal and India hardest hit as Australia’s January-March visa data shows tightening, with the sector flagging a lack of clarity amid more stable outcomes for applicants from China and Southeast Asia hubs.li/Q04f5qGf0

The Trump administration’s proposed rule to replace ‘duration of status’ with fixed time limits on student and visitor visas is set to cause administrative chaos, leaders warn, anticipating the change in the coming weeks. hubs.li/Q04f2mzd0

The UK minister of state for the Home Office has agreed to meet with sector leaders after concerns about incoming compliance rules and visa refusal rates were raised in the House of Lords. hubs.li/Q04d-J660

France will require most non-EU students to pay higher tuition fees from 2026/27, as part of a wider push to reshape international recruitment under its 'Choose France for Higher Education' strategy. hubs.li/Q04d-Lk40

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The private education sector in Dubai has taken steps towards resuming onsite education, after moving online amid regional conflict stemming from the Iran war. hubs.li/Q04dWgns0

With higher education outbound numbers down over a third in two years, consultancies say a “clearly visible” shift sees Indian students look beyond traditional destinations as the market becomes more cautious. hubs.li/Q04dSkcg0