12 June 2014 at 9:00 am
Positive trends signal growth
The number of international students coming to New Zealand appears to be on the rise after a challenging few years according to the International Education Snapshot 2013 full year report released today.
"While the effects of increasing competition linger, hard work by many across the industry is turning the tide," says ENZ Chief Executive Grant McPherson.
Overall, there were 97,283 international students enrolled at a New Zealand education provider in 2013 – 1.8 per cent less than in 2012.
"This figure is the result of a really hard start to 2013, where from January to April numbers were 5 per cent down on 2012. Growth since then helped offset some of the decline; from May to December student numbers increased by 4 per cent on the same period in 2012."
"There’s no doubt numbers do vary sector by sector and market by market, but I’m confident we’re at a point where they’re heading in the right direction. As an indicator for this year, total student visas approved from January to March 2014 are up 22 per cent on 2013," says Grant.
Highlights from the report include growth in students from China and India, with both countries increasing by 3 per cent on 2012.
"These are countries where ENZ has made a significant investment. This investment is reflected in increasing awareness of New Zealand education – our brand awareness is trending up in China and India and preference for New Zealand as a study destination is level with Australia. We’re starting to get noticed, although we’re still well behind UK and USA.
"In Japan, where enrolments grew 7 per cent between 2012 and 2013, we have also seen our consideration levels increase from 33 to 39 per cent."
In conjunction with the snapshot report, the Government released another report – the Business Growth Agenda Leadership Statement for International Education Progress Update.
The report sets out progress, since 2011, in achieving the goals of the Leadership Statement for International Education. It outlines key actions by government, and ongoing work to support the growth of international education.
"International education is New Zealand’s fifth largest export industry, contributing $2.6 billion to the New Zealand economy annually, and building links of lasting benefit to our communities."
"As an industry, we are working together in many ways to increase that contribution. For example, with more than 1,200 people now subscribed to The Brand Lab we’re telling a unified education story internationally. This can only strengthen our brand as a country, paving the way for providers to promote the distinctive strengths of your region and institution."
