MENA Region Postgraduate Student Mobility Report

Europe, UK, USA, Canada, and Australia

Introduction

The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region represents a significant and evolving player in global higher education. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the outbound mobility of postgraduate students (Master's and PhD) from the MENA region, with a specific focus on their destinations in Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

MENA Region: A Dual Force in Global Mobility

The MENA region is experiencing a significant transformation in its higher education sector. While outbound student mobility remains a key trend, there is a growing interest in intra-regional and inbound mobility, driven by substantial investments in local education infrastructure and the proliferation of international branch campuses.

Outbound Mobility Trends

At the Master's level, demand is highly concentrated, with Iran and Turkey accounting for over 56% of the regional demand. However, their trajectories are diverging markedly:

• Turkey: Strong growth at +5.1% year-on-year
• Iran: Experiencing a sharp decline
• Egypt: Significant and growing source country with a +2.9% increase in demand
• UAE (5.9%), Morocco (5.6%), Tunisia (4.6%): Secondary source markets with modest changes

United States: A Declining Destination for MENA Students

The United States has historically been a top destination for students from the MENA region, but recent data indicates a significant and widespread decline. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of active students from 11 key MENA countries in the U.S. dropped by 5.4%, from 84,549 to 79,963 — a net decline of 4,586 students.

Saudi Arabia has seen its student numbers in the U.S. fall by more than half since its peak in 2015, when the Kingdom sent more than 60,000 students abroad through the King Abdullah Scholarship Program. This dramatic shift is largely due to the country's Vision 2030 policy, which prioritizes domestic education.

Only Turkey managed to show growth (+2.8%) among MENA countries. The sharpest declines came from Qatar (-28.9%), Israel (-11.0%), Oman (-10.8%), and the UAE (-10.5%).

Europe (EU): A Popular Choice for Postgraduate Studies

Europe remains a highly attractive destination for MENA students. In 2023, the EU hosted 1.76 million international students, with Master's and doctoral students constituting 44.8% and 9.0%, respectively, of this population.

The appeal of Europe for MENA students is driven by strong academic reputations, diverse program offerings, and in some cases, linguistic and cultural ties — particularly with France for North African students.

United Kingdom: A Postgraduate Hub with Shifting Dynamics

The UK is a major destination for postgraduate students from the MENA region. International students make up 71% of all full-time postgraduate students in the UK. Postgraduate study is the most popular level for MENA students in the UK, and agents play a significant role in recruitment, accounting for 50% of enrollments from the region.

However, like the U.S., the UK is facing challenges in attracting MENA students. Recent data indicates a decline in international student numbers, particularly at the postgraduate level, due to changes in government policies regarding dependents and increased global competition.

Canada and Australia: Emerging Competitors

Canada and Australia are becoming increasingly attractive alternatives for MENA students, though they also face challenges. A 4.1% drop in interest from MENA students at the Master's level was recorded in Canada, and 82% of Canadian universities reported lower undergraduate enrollment, with 71% losing postgraduate students.

Australia, while emerging as a destination for postgraduate research, has not yet captured significant numbers of MENA students compared to traditional destinations. Its appeal lies in research opportunities and quality of life.

Key Trends and Conclusion

Regionalization

A growing number of students are choosing to study within the MENA region, attracted by the increasing quality and availability of local and transnational education options. The proliferation of international branch campuses in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and other MENA countries is providing students with globally recognized qualifications without the need to travel abroad.

Shifting Destinations

While the U.S. and UK remain popular, they are facing increasing competition. The combination of rising tuition fees, more complex visa regimes, and increased capacity limitations has made studying abroad more challenging for many students.

Strategic Mobility

Government policies are playing an increasingly important role. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 exemplifies this trend, with government programs now emphasizing specific fields aligned with national development goals.

Concentrated Demand

A few key countries — Turkey, Iran, and Egypt — dominate the outbound postgraduate market, with Turkey showing the strongest growth trajectory.