Stay informed with the latest updates on study abroad policies, admissions trends, scholarships, and Ace Offer announcements.
The Australian Government has increased the National Planning Level to 295,000 new overseas student places for 2026 — a 9% rise from 2025. The new Ministerial Direction 115 prioritises applications from low-risk countries and introduced stricter evidence requirements for high-risk markets.
The UK Government confirmed that the Graduate Route post-study work visa will be shortened from two years to 18 months for bachelor's and master's graduates, effective January 2027. Students who apply before 31 December 2026 will still receive the full two-year visa.
NUS, NTU, and SMU have announced a 10–15% expansion in international student intake for 2026, targeting high-demand fields including AI, fintech, biomedical sciences, and green energy. Some STEM programs have also relaxed GRE requirements to optional.
The Subclass 500 student visa application fee has increased to AUD $2,000, making it one of the most expensive globally. Onshore renewals cost an additional AUD $700, and Administrative Review Tribunal appeals are now AUD $3,580.
From January 2026, applicants from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan face higher evidence requirements under Assessment Level 3. Offshore higher education visa approval rates fell to a record low of 59% in early 2026, with Indian applicants facing a 49% grant rate.
The University of Melbourne leads Australia at #19, followed by UNSW Sydney at #20 and the University of Sydney at #25. Monash University climbed to #36, while Adelaide University debuted in the rankings at #82 following the merger of the University of Adelaide and UniSA.
The University of Sydney was the only institution out of 32 applicants denied additional international student allocations for 2026. The government cited insufficient investment in student housing and over-reliance on the Chinese market as key reasons for the decision.
English language course providers in Australia reported a 35% decline in international enrolments for 2025–2026, driven by higher visa fees and stricter assessment levels. The sector warns of potential closures, threatening a key feeder pathway into Australian universities.
A survey by ICEF Monitor found that 7 in 10 UK universities experienced a drop in international postgraduate enrolments for the 2025/26 academic year, with an average decline of 31%. Visa rejection rates and reduced graduate visa duration were cited as primary factors.
The National University of Singapore welcomed 21,500 visitors to its 2026 Open House, unveiling new AI+X interdisciplinary programmes including Asia's first Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Intelligence (GIX). New AI minors and revamped computing degrees were also announced.
QUB announced a new scholarship framework for 2026/27 allowing Chinese students to stack multiple awards: an automatic International Office Scholarship (£3,500–£5,000), a China-specific Business School Scholarship (£6,000), and an Early Confirmation Discount (£1,500).
Newcastle University introduced the Vice-Chancellor's Excellence Scholarship offering a 50% reduction on international tuition fees for postgraduate students starting in 2026/27. The award is valued at approximately £23,000 based on the reference international fee of £46,266.