Europe, UK, USA, Canada, and Australia
The pursuit of postgraduate education (Master's and PhD) abroad is a significant driver of global talent mobility and knowledge exchange. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the outbound mobility of postgraduate students from Latin America, with a specific focus on their destinations in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Europe has established itself as a primary destination for Latin American students pursuing postgraduate degrees. In 2023, Master's and doctoral students constituted 44.8% and 9.0%, respectively, of the 1.76 million international students in the EU.
Spain and Portugal are particularly popular, with 46.7% and 33.0% of their international students from the Caribbean, Central, and South America, respectively. This is largely due to strong linguistic and cultural ties.
| Destination | Latin American Student Share | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 46.7% | Highest share of Latin American students in the EU |
| Portugal | 33.0% | Second-highest share of Latin American students in the EU |
| Germany | 24.1% of EU total | Largest host of international students in the EU |
| France | 15.7% of EU total | Second-largest host of international students in the EU |
Mexico is the largest sender of Master's students from Latin America to Europe, closely followed by Brazil and Colombia.
The United Kingdom has traditionally been a major hub for international students, especially at the postgraduate level. In 2023/24, international students accounted for a remarkable 71% of all full-time postgraduate students in the UK. However, the landscape is shifting. Recent data indicates a decline in international student numbers, particularly in postgraduate programs, influenced by changes in government policy regarding dependents and increased competition.
Brazil is the largest Latin American market for the UK, followed by Colombia and Mexico. However, both Brazil and Colombia have seen recent declines in student numbers. Despite this, there is growing interest from emerging markets in the region, such as Chile, Peru, Panama, and Ecuador, which now account for 40% of Latin American enrollments at some UK universities. Agents play a crucial role in this market, accounting for 50% of enrollments from the region.
The United States remains a major destination for Latin American graduate students. In the 2024/25 academic year, there were 488,481 graduate students in the U.S. Brazil and Mexico are among the top 25 sending countries of international students to the U.S., with 17,277 and 15,652 students respectively in 2023/24. Colombia is also a significant contributor to the international student population in the U.S.
Canada has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of students from Latin America. Between 2015 and 2019, study permit approvals for students from Colombia grew by an astounding 225%, while Brazil and Mexico saw increases of 27.5% and 38.7%, respectively. In 2019, students from Latin America accounted for 7.0% of all international students in Canada.
Key Trend: The shift towards college programs, which offer a more direct route to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program (PGWPP), is a notable trend among Brazilian and Mexican students in Canada.
Australia is rapidly gaining popularity as a destination for Latin American students, particularly at the postgraduate level. The country has seen a 94% growth in overseas postgraduate enrollments. Brazil and Colombia have emerged as major sources of doctoral candidates, attracted by Australia's research opportunities and quality of life.
| Country | Students in Australia (Jan–Oct 2025) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 14,534 |
| Colombia | 5,535 |
| Mexico | 2,087 |
Conclusion: The outbound mobility of postgraduate students from Latin America is a dynamic and growing phenomenon. The choice of destination is influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including linguistic and cultural ties, quality of education, research opportunities, and immigration pathways. As more Latin American students seek to advance their education and careers, the competition among host countries for this talented pool of students is likely to intensify.
[1] Eurostat. (2025). Learning mobility statistics. European Commission.
[2] The PIE News. (2026). What's next for Latin American international education in 2026?.
[3] Institute of International Education. (2025). Open Doors. IIE.
[4] ApplyBoard. (2020). ApplyInsights: Growth in Canada's Latin American Student Markets.
[5] Australian Government Department of Education. (2025). International student numbers by country, by state and territory.
[6] ICEF Monitor. (2026). UK: International student numbers fall for second year, especially in postgraduate programmes.
[7] Universities UK. (2024). International student data.
[8] English UK. (2025). THE UK IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT.
[9] The PIE News. (2025). UK unis encouraged to expand efforts in emerging LatAm markets.