Universities Witness Decade-Long Rise in Foreign Student Representation

Global Enrolment Surge Transforms Higher Education Landscape

Over the past ten years, universities across the country have witnessed a remarkable rise in international student diversity. What was once a limited phenomenon has now evolved into a defining feature of student demographics, fundamentally reshaping the landscape of higher education. A decade ago, no university had more than 20% of its student population made up of foreign nationals. Today, however, campuses with 10%–20% international representation have become increasingly common, reflecting broader global enrollment trends and a shift towards more inclusive academic environments.

According to a report released by the Migration Research and Training Centre on 12 August, the proportion of universities with 5%–10% foreign students rose from just 1.6% in 2014 to 12.3% in 2024. Similarly, institutions with 10%–15% international enrollment increased to 5.4%, while those with 20% or more, once absent, now account for 3.1%. In contrast, the percentage of universities with fewer than 5% international students fell sharply from 98.4% to 78.4%. These figures highlight the steady integration of international students into mainstream university life. Moreover, the diversity within international education has deepened significantly. The number of nationalities represented at domestic universities grew from 141 in 2013 to 155 in 2024. In junior and technical colleges, this figure more than doubled, rising from 35 to 78. This expansion in global student mobility signals not only increased participation but also a richer multicultural campus experience, where students are exposed to a wide range of cultural perspectives.

Historically, Chinese students comprised the majority of the international student population. However, their dominance has declined considerably. The proportion of institutions where Chinese nationals made up 80% or more of foreign students fell dramatically from 43% to 10.5%. Meanwhile, the number of universities where Chinese students accounted for less than 20% rose from 23.3% to 51.1%, indicating a more balanced distribution of nationalities. In contrast, Vietnamese students have emerged as a major group in recent years. The share of universities where they represented 80% or more surged from just 0.56% in 2014 to 14.8% in 2024. In junior or vocational colleges, the proportion reached 27.4%, compared with none a decade earlier. Experts noted that Vietnam’s role as a leading sender of workers under the Employment Permit System has contributed to this trend, highlighting the intersection between immigration patterns and diversity in international education.

Beyond Vietnam and China, emerging source countries such as Nepal, Nigeria, and Indonesia are beginning to shape the next wave of student mobility. These shifts reflect broader geopolitical and economic dynamics, including scholarship availability, visa policies, and regional partnerships. Importantly, the changing demographics are not only numerical but experiential. Students now engage in more culturally diverse classrooms, participate in globally themed extracurricular activities, and form peer networks that span continents. In response, universities are increasingly investing in intercultural training, multilingual support services, and inclusive campus programming to ensure that diversity translates into meaningful integration.

The Migration Research and Training Centre emphasised that the conversation must now move beyond numbers. It called for policies that address not only the scale of global student enrolment but also the diversity and quality of representation. The Centre stressed that the benefits of international students extend far beyond statistics, contributing to cultural exchange, enhancing multicultural campus life, and ultimately boosting global university rankings. Indeed, international diversity is now a key metric in global rankings, influencing institutional reputation, research collaboration, and alumni engagement. Universities that successfully attract and support diverse cohorts are better positioned to compete globally and foster cross-border partnerships.

Furthermore, the intersection of education and labour migration warrants closer scrutiny. As students increasingly transition into local workforces, ethical considerations around recruitment, post-study work rights, and long-term integration must be addressed. Universities are becoming not only academic spaces but also gateways to economic and social mobility. Looking ahead, experts forecast continued growth in international enrolment, with hybrid learning models, virtual exchanges, and transnational degrees playing an increasingly prominent role. Institutions must now balance quantity with quality, ensuring that internationalisation strategies remain inclusive, sustainable, and student-centred. This evolving trend affirms the role of universities as catalysts for global citizenship and cross-cultural understanding.

Editor’s Note

A significant and steady increase in student diversity has become a defining characteristic of higher education over the last decade, fundamentally transforming universities nationwide. This shift, previously a minor consideration, is now integral to both institutional identity and global competitiveness. University demographics are shifting with rising international student diversity. A report on August 12, 2024, noted that universities with 5%–10% international students grew from 1.6% in 2014 to 12.3% in 2024, while those with 10%–15% reached 5.4%. Institutions hosting 20% or more, once nonexistent, now stand at 3.1%, as campuses with fewer than 5% declined from 98.4% to 78.4%. The range of nationalities has widened, from 141 to 155 in universities and 35 to 78 in junior or technical colleges. Chinese dominance fell, with schools hosting 80%+ Chinese students dropping from 43% to 10.5%, while those under 20% rose to 51.1%. In contrast, Vietnamese enrolment surged, with their share in some universities climbing from 0.56% to 14.8% and in vocational colleges to 27.4%, a trend linked to Vietnam’s Employment Permit System.

New source countries like Nepal, Nigeria, and Indonesia are driving student mobility, influenced by scholarships, visa policies, and regional cooperation. Universities are adapting by investing in inclusive policies, intercultural training, and multilingual support, focusing on student integration and experience over just enrollment. The Migration Research and Training Centre stresses the need for ethical recruitment, quality representation, and long-term outcomes for international students. Global university rankings now heavily feature international diversity, which impacts institutional reputation, research collaboration, and alumni engagement. Universities that welcome and support diverse student populations are better equipped to cultivate global citizenship and foster cross-border partnerships.

According to Skoobuzz, with the increasing adoption of hybrid learning models, virtual exchanges, and transnational degrees, universities must ensure their internationalisation strategies are student-focused, inclusive, and sustainable.