Rising Global Demand Fuels 22% Growth in English-Taught Programmes

By Henry June 10, 2024
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In the report “Mapping English-taught Programmes Worldwide” by the British Council and Studyportals, it was found that on-campus ETPs, along with bachelor’s and master’s programmes, increased globally by 22% in 2024 compared to 2021. Most of this expansion has occurred in emerging markets.

The data used in the report was collected from Studyportals, whose database includes more than 240,000 higher education ETPs across the globe and covers over 3,500 universities.
Since 2014, ETPs have trebled to 40,786 in the ‘rest of the world,’ defined as countries outside Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States (the ‘Big Four’ anglophone nations), with the majority (63%) offered at the master’s level.

Which non-traditional destinations offer the most ETPs?

The largest portion of ETPs outside the Big Four is in the European Higher Education Area (50%). Currently, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands have the most ETPs in Europe; however, when considering the rate of growth in ETPs, it is highest in countries like Türkiye, Italy, and Portugal.

After Europe, East Asia offers the second-highest number of ETPs outside the Big Four (12%). Studyportals notes an important shift in the distribution of ETPs in Asia:
“It remains relevant to note that the offer of ETPs in East Asia has significantly overshadowed the supply in the Chinese region, compared to the data provided in the 2021 report. As a result, East Asia now presents a new perspective in terms of the advancement of programme internationalisation, especially through Malaysian institutions.”
South Africa is another country that has registered more ETPs than China, as follows:

The overall structure of ETP growth between 2019 and 2024 indicates that Computer Science & IT will grow by 63%, with Natural Sciences & Mathematics, and Agriculture & Forestry, both growing by 62%. Notably, Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences are expected to rise by 58%, Humanities by 58%,Medicine & Health by 57%, Engineering & Technology by 54%, and Education & Training by 50%.

Source: ICEF MONITOR

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