the changing face of student mobility

Times are changing in the world of international higher education. Donald Trump’s public battles with some of America’s elite education institutions has led to many lurid headlines about a mass exodus of students from US shores.

The truth behind the headlines isn’t quite so dramatic. At Quintessentially Education, we continue to work with many students and families who are deeply committed to studying in the United States.

For both US and UK students, America remains home to some of the world’s most prestigious institutions and continues to attract ambitious applicants seeking academic excellence and opportunity. For example, admission rates at Harvard for the Class of 2028 saw just 3.6% of applicants accepted out of a total number of 54,008 applications. Figures from other Ivy League destinations are similar, clearly demonstrating that the lure of an elite American college education remains strong.

One cannot ignore events, however, and changes in the higher education landscape in the US are prompting a growing number of families, from the US, UK and further afield, to explore a wider range of higher education destinations.

There are several reasons for this; political polarisation and cultural tensions, combined with technological evolutions, are having an impact, leading some students to re-evaluate what a US college experience entails. This includes both questioning the cost of a US university, which can exceed $50,000 a year, and asking if such a degree is worth it in an era of job uncertainty and employers increasingly looking at skill-based hiring.

Add in uncertainties around visa processes – the disruptions in F-1 visa interviews in key countries – and state-level legislative changes that reshaped policies around admissions, curriculum, and university funding in the first half of 2025 and it is understandable why students are questioning where they will thrive both academically and personally.

Changes in the higher education landscape in the US are prompting a growing number of families, from the US, UK and further afield, to explore a wider range of higher education destinations

Another important shift is generational; younger students, including Americans, are more likely to see themselves as global citizens. They are looking for international exposure, language immersion, and degrees that give them a competitive edge in international job markets. Many international universities offer degrees taught in English, multinational networks, and post-study work opportunities.

So, although they’re not abandoning the US altogether as certain headlines might make you believe, many students are choosing to expand their horizons, building more flexible, multi-region application strategies that reflect both long-term goals and present-day realities. In other words, families are not abandoning their US ambitions, they’re looking at other destinations and the US in combination.

Where are they going?

Families are now comparing a variety of options, especially those offering English-taught degrees with transparent admissions processes and stable visa frameworks.

• United Kingdom: The UK continues to be a top choice for US students. UCAS has reported a 14% increase in US citizens applying to UK universities for the 2025/26 cycle. This upturn is partly due to the ease of UCAS, the UK’s iconic and globally ranked institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial College that are synonymous with academic excellence, a shared language and a well-defined post-study work route. US students, in particular, are drawn to the shorter degree length and potential cost savings.
• Netherlands: Institutions such as Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University are increasingly popular. With strong English-language offerings, relatively low tuition fees (even for international students), and a straightforward application system, the Netherlands is carving out a clear identity in global higher education.
• Italy and Spain: Programs at Bocconi University and IE University are gaining significant ground among students interested in business, law, and international relations. These institutions also offer campus environments that reflect a global outlook which is an important consideration for students seeking diversity and inclusion abroad.
• Switzerland: For students focused on STEM, hospitality, or international policy, Swiss universities offer multilingual education and a gateway to the European job market, with the added appeal of political neutrality and stability.
• France: French institutions like Science Po, recognised for political science and international relations, draws Europe’s elite, particularly students interested in global diplomacy and public policy. Several undergraduate courses are taught in English.

Preparation is key

For students planning ahead for university, flexibility is the guiding principle. We’re advising students to be mindful of multiple systems as they build their academic profiles, by choosing IB subjects that meet requirements across regions, for example, or starting early with SAT preparation for use in applicable European institutions (as well as in the US).

Students are also engaging earlier, attending global open days online, participating in international summer programmes, and seeking advice well ahead of application deadlines.

Many of the families we work with are thinking about post-university options, too. For international students, the viability of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and H-1B visa pathways in the US has become an increasing point of concern. In contrast, countries like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands offer defined post-study work policies that are easier to plan around.

A global future

For higher education institutions around the world, these shifting dynamics present both challenge and opportunity. Students are no longer making decisions based solely on prestige or tradition – they are weighing political stability, post-graduation work rights, and visa accessibility alongside academic fit.

They want cultural enrichment, global mobility and practical career pathways. Universities that offer value for money, English-language instruction, flexible study options, and post-graduate opportunities are likely to stand out.

For US institutions, this is a critical moment to reaffirm their global appeal through clarity, consistency, and student-centred support.

As the US higher education model faces internal scrutiny, the door is opening wider for international universities to step in as attractive alternatives. The students making this shift are not just seeking education – they’re seeking transformation. Institutions that understand and support that journey will be well-positioned in this changing global market. There is the potential right now to shape an exciting and more distributed higher education landscape in the years ahead.