Interest from postgraduate international students in the US has dropped significantly under Donald Trump’s second administration, falling by over 40% from January to March this year. Indeed, according to new research from StudyPortals, data from early 2025 shows a decline in US interest, while demand for postgraduate programs in the UK is increasing. “While it’s too early to say definitively that growing interest in the UK is a direct result of declining demand for the US, we are seeing a clear shift in student behaviour,” stated StudyPortals head of communication, Cara Skikne.  

What do the findings show?

Interest in postgraduate on-campus programs in the US saw the steepest decline among Iranian and Bangladeshi students, dropping by 61% and 54%, respectively. Meanwhile, interest from students in India, Pakistan, and Nigeria fell by over a third, The Pie News reports.

Students are not only selecting programs but also envisioning their futures in countries they see as stable, welcoming, and full of opportunities, according to the research. The UK is becoming an increasingly popular choice, with its stable policy environment drawing more attention from prospective international students. The data shows that student searches for both US and UK programs have increased by nearly 20% over the past six months, with key fields like business & management and computer science experiencing growth of more than 25%. In fact, nearly 7% of all sessions searching for US bachelor's and master's degrees are now also considering options in the UK. In comparison, only 3.6% of students headed to the US are exploring Canadian programs.

UK “most welcoming” destination

The latest findings align with a British Council survey, which suggests the UK is likely to be perceived as the “most welcoming” major Anglophone destination. This comes as Trump's return to the White House and visa restrictions in Canada and Australia reduce the appeal of the “big four” destinations. In contrast to the previous Conservative government, the current Labour administration has committed to welcoming international students and upholding the Graduate Route, although it has stopped short of reversing the ban on dependants.

That said, despite the positive outlook from international students, the UK has been cautioned not to “grow complacent.” The British Council has underscored that there is still work to be done in diversifying recruitment efforts and investing in Transnational Education (TNE).

Meanwhile, the US sector has been shaken by unprecedented legislative changes within the first 60 days of Trump's second term. Student and staff deportations have caused widespread disruption across campuses, and a travel ban is expected to be imposed imminently.