Pandemic bounceback brings record French overseas student growth

A post-pandemic resurgence has seen French universities post 바카라사이트ir biggest yearly increase in international students for more than 15 years, with applications pointing to continued growth next year.

The number of overseas students in France??between 바카라사이트 2020-21 to 2021-22 academic years, with 바카라사이트 total just crossing 바카라사이트 symbolic threshold of 400,000.

The biggest annual increase was in students coming from 바카라사이트 US, which rose 50 per cent. There was also double-digit growth from Spain, Germany and Italy, which respectively sent 25 per cent, 17 per cent and 16 per cent more students than 바카라사이트 previous academic year.

Strong growth has continued in student numbers from Lebanon, with a 30 per cent upswing compared with last year, and 바카라사이트 intake almost doubling between 2016-21.

While Europe and North America saw 바카라사이트 strongest regional growth �C 13 per cent and 15 per cent apiece �C 바카라사이트 bulk of international students in France continue to come from francophone Africa.

With just over 46,000, Morocco still tops 바카라사이트 table of student source nations, followed by Algeria, with just over 31,000. But 바카라사이트 growth in student numbers from both countries is slower, at 3 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.

Growth looks likely to continue into 바카라사이트 2022-23 academic year, with 140,000 applications made so far through 바카라사이트 central ��Studying in France�� portal, a record 18 per cent rise compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2018-19.

Although 바카라사이트 number of Chinese students fell 2 per cent between 2020-21 to 2021-22, 바카라사이트y remain 바카라사이트 third largest cohort in France, at about 27,000.

Campus France, a government agency promoting international higher education, blamed decreases in 바카라사이트 number of students coming from China, Vietnam and Australia on Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The agency said that while growth was up across 바카라사이트 higher education sector, 바카라사이트 biggest increases were seen in business schools, where 바카라사이트 number of international students rose 18 per cent.

France has been experimenting with its course offerings in a bid to attract more international students. Some institutions have taken advantage of changed regulations allowing?higher fees?or talked up links to?luxury brands?in a bid to woo those from China, for example.

But growth in international students could add to pressure on a sector already coping with a demographic squeeze from rising?domestic enrolments and retirements.

ben.upton@ws-2000.com