Canadian edtech company ApplyBoard has just released its latest survey, showing a major reshuffle in the world’s most popular study-abroad destinations. The UK has jumped to first place, Canada has reclaimed second, while the U.S. has dropped to third.

So, where does Australia stand?

Since 2023, ApplyBoard has conducted this survey every six months. The most recent Fall survey gathered responses from 400 international recruitment professionals. The top six most attractive study-abroad destinations are:

United Kingdom (82%)

Canada (74%)

United States (67%)

Australia (66%)

Germany (60%)

Ireland (50%)

When it comes to perceptions of openness, safety, and friendliness, the U.S. lagged behind with just 50% support, ranking sixth. By contrast, the UK (86.9%) held the lead, followed by Canada (84.3%), Australia (81.8%), Germany (80%), and Ireland (74.4%).

The report noted Canada’s rebound: while it dropped to fourth in the Spring 2024 survey, it climbed back to second this Fall, showing renewed appeal among international students. Analysts point out the U.S.’s continued decline is tied to policy uncertainty and a tense immigration climate that began under the Trump administration.

Interestingly, Canada had topped the rankings for two years straight but slipped earlier this year after announcing stricter international education measures—cutting the number of study permits, tightening post-graduate work eligibility, and capping student visa issuances. ApplyBoard predicts that in 2025, the number of new Canadian study permits issued will fall by about 50% compared to last year.

The survey also revealed the top factors influencing students’ choices:

Tuition costs (91.4%)

Post-graduation work opportunities (87.8%)

Cost of living (76.7%)

Employment opportunities during study (74.6%)

Host country’s attitude toward international students (48.6%)

Overall, nearly 47% of respondents believe global demand for international education is still growing, with more students showing interest in studying abroad each year. The report concludes: “More recruitment professionals are observing a steady rise in global student demand for international education—a trend that is highly encouraging.”

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Canada, ApplyBoard is a leading global study-abroad application platform. It closely tracks how government policies influence international student mobility, and its surveys are regarded as a key indicator of global education trends.