January News 2026
Enrolments from India to 153 Countries Down
Source: The Pie
https://thepienews.com/outbound-indian-university-enrolments-fall-after-three-year-rise
QS Data Shows Increase in (QS Global Student Flows | QS)
Source: The Pie
8.5 million international students by 2030, QS data predicts
Obama Appointed Judge Sides with Trump
Source: The Pie
https://thepienews.com/judge-rules-in-trumps-favour-over-100k-h-1b-visa-fee-hike/
The year in review: 10 stories that shaped international education in Canada
Source: The Pie
US International Enrolments Reduction Did Not Meet 40% Predictions
Source: The Pie
New international enrolments in US down 17% this fall
Technology and the HE Sector
‘UK higher education is in a period of profound change. Artificial intelligence, data-driven research, and new models of learning are redefining what it means to deliver value to students and society. At the same time, institutions must navigate complex risks, from cyber threats to infrastructure demands, while responding to significant financial challenges and ensuring they remain agile, competitive, and a key delivery partner in supporting the government’s growth ambition. The question is not whether technology will transform education, but how we harness it to strengthen the sector for the long term.’ HEPI
Source: https://www.jisc.ac.uk
Latest News from UCAS: Increase in students from China, increase in students for Medicine, Dentistry and Vet Science.
Increase in applications to Oxford and Cambridge.
The number of UK 18-year-olds applying to early deadline undergraduate courses (15 October) has reached a record high with 41,010 applicants, up 5.3% from last year.
The overall number of applicants is also the highest on record at 79,160, a 7.4% increase compared to last year.
The number of applicants for medicine courses has increased to 25,770, a rise of 10.4% on last year.
The number of UK mature students (aged 21+) has increased to 6,600, an 11.2% increase on last year.
The number of UK 18-year-olds applying to courses with a 15 October deadline has reached a record high, new UCAS figures published today have shown.
Today’s figures show 41,010 UK 18-year-olds have applied to medicine, dentistry, veterinary courses and courses at Cambridge and Oxford, up from 38,940 in last year’s cycle (+5.3%). This exceeds the 4.5% growth in the 18-year-old population*.
The figures also show increases in the number of applicants from the most deprived areas of the UK, with the exception of Northern Ireland which has remained unchanged compared to last year. There have been:
In England, 16,020 from IMD Quintiles 1 and 2 (+1,360).
In Wales, 440 from WIMD Quintiles 1 and 2 (+10).
In Scotland, 550 from SIMD Quintiles 1 and 2 (+70).
In Northern Ireland, 250 from NIMDM Quintiles 1 and 2 (which remains unchanged from last year).
Overall, 79,160 students have applied to these full-time undergraduate early deadline courses in the 2026 entry cycle, compared with 73,720 last year, an increase of 7.4%, marking a new record high.
Today’s figures also reveal significant growth in the number of applicants to medicine, increasing by 10.4% compared to last year. The number of applicants has reached 25,770 (up from 23,350), with increases from all applicant groups.
The number of UK mature students (aged 21+) has reached 6,600 this year, up 11.2% on last year. This includes an 11.5% increase of UK mature applicants applying to study medicine courses – 4,920 this year versus 4,410 last year.
The number of international applicants to early deadline courses through UCAS is also at a record high (24,350 applicants), up 11.5% since last year, although UCAS data does not reflect a full picture of all international demand.
China remains the largest market for international applicants who apply through UCAS, with 5,750 applicants (+15.7%), compared with 4,970 last year. Demand continues to grow among applicants from the USA (+280 applicants), Singapore (+230 applicants) and India (+140 applicants).
The 15 October figures, the first released from the 2026 cycle, show about 10% of all the undergraduate applications UCAS receives throughout the year.
Dr Jo Saxton CBE, UCAS Chief Executive, said: “I am really encouraged to see the continued demand for university places. It’s especially heartening to see people of all ages choosing to study medicine — from school leavers to mature students looking to reconnect with education. This growing interest is a positive sign for the future of our healthcare system.”
“More doctors and dentists, alongside other healthcare professionals, will be essential to meeting the future challenges and needs of the NHS, and UCAS will continue to connect aspiring applicants to the opportunities that will help them step onto that career path.
“At UCAS, we’re committed to providing students with all the information, advice and guidance they need to make an informed decision about their next steps, especially as we approach the equal consideration date for applications to all other courses on 14 January 2026.”
