Page 13 - StudyTravel Magazine April 2025 Issue

MIDDLE EAST & KEY POINTS

NORTH AFRICA 3,510

by the 11 agencies in our survey
AGENCY SURVEY total number of students placed

There was a strong preference for the UK for language
and university study in 2024, according to surveyed 31-671
agents from the Middle East and North Africa, with
European countries also popular with students from number of students placed on
this world region. courses by individual agencies
last year

Kate Clarke Zaheer Abbas 10%
from Al Malik from
Ahlam Higher Kingston overall business growth
Education Migrate talks
Services talks to us... to us...

“As the memory of Covid fades, “Student recruitment has been 23%
confidence in study travel is rapidly challenging yet evolving, particularly
rising and we’re seeing a substantial due to economic and political average commission agencies
year-on-year increase. 2024 saw uncertainties in key student received from language schools
a much broader range of requests, recruitment regions like Pakistan
especially in academic preparation. and the Middle East. Compared to
People are realising that conver- 2023, we have observed fluctuations
sational English isn’t adequate for in demand, mainly influenced by 13%
higher education! For us, the UK has visa policy changes, currency
always been the preferred destina- devaluation, and affordability average commission agencies
tion. From time to time interest concerns. However, despite these received from secondary schools
increases in countries like Australia, challenges, interest in higher
Canada, and even Germany, but it education and vocational training
seems short-lived. I’m also happy to programs abroad remains strong.
see much greater forward plan- Students are taking more time to 15%
ning, with students discussing their finalise their applications due to
requirements much earlier. Having financial constraints and changing average commission agencies
said that, last-minute business visa regulations. While the UK and received from higher education
is still there, especially for sum- Canada remain popular choices, providers
mer programmes. With caps, policy we are seeing a growing interest in
changes or simply uncertainty in European countries like Germany,
so many countries, I believe the UK Spain, and Ireland, driven by lower
will stay firmly at the top. Course tuition fees and post-study work HIGHER EDUCATION
booking, admission and visa require- opportunities. Students will actively
ments (we have the ETA visa) are seek scholarships, work-study was the largest sector of the
relatively straightforward which programs, and financial aid options study abroad market for Middle
gives a huge competitive advan- to manage rising tuition and living East & North African agencies
tage." www.ahlameducation.com costs.” www.kingstonmigrate.com (50 per cent) in 2024

10 STUDYTRAVEL MAGAZINE