The Group of Eight universities have followed the money with an extraordinary growth in international UG and other coursework students in the decde to 2024 – with one exception.
Datamaster Frank Larkins (Uni Melbourne) reports the Eight collectively increased domestic UG and PG coursework students (not EFTSL) by 3%, 2015-24. But comparable international numbers doubled. Across all 41 universities, in comparison, locals were up 1% and internationals 60%.
“The changing profile outcomes have significant consequences for the management of higher education training programs in Australia,” he warns in a new paper.
In headcount terms, in 2024, the Go8 had 100,000 more coursework students than in 2015, 93,000 of them internationals. There were 184% more overseas students at UNSW, 160% more at Uni Sydney, 109% more at Uni WA, 96% more at Uni Queensland and an 86% increase at Uni Melbourne.
In contrast, almost half the Group, (Sydney, Queensland, and ANU) dropped domestic enrolments over the decade.
“This must be of concern to higher education policy planners,” Professor Larkins suggests, given ”the eligible population cohort has increase over the decade.”
And the exception to the international growth trend? It is ANU, “with the decline in commencers indicative of difficult recruitment challenges ahead.”
The new evidence is in line with Professor Larkins’ previous paper that demonstrated a decade of decline in domestic research students, more than offset by international increases.
Overall, this is an image issue for the Go8. “An element of these changes is the desire of universities to strengthen their financial positions,” Professor Larkins suggests.
It will also confirm critics of HE, who argue that universities focus on growing profitable international enrolments without increasing access for Australians.