The article published by Study Travel Network highlights the impact of COVID-19 on the UK ELT sector. The latest data from English UK’s Quarterly Intelligence Cohort (QUIC) report indicates mixed progress for the UK English Language Teaching (ELT) sector in 2023. While it marks the best year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the pace of recovery appears to have slowed down in the final quarter of the year. Despite reaching an overall recovery level of 83 percent compared to 2019, there’s a noticeable decline in quarterly recovery rates throughout 2023, with Q4 showing a drop to 75 percent. Factors such as policy changes impacting global student mobility and sentiments towards studying abroad have influenced this trend, as highlighted by English UK’s research partner, Bonard. In terms of sector performance, adult ELT saw a 17 percent increase in student weeks in Q4 of 2023 compared to the previous year, while junior weeks increased by 26 percent. However, both segments still fall below 2019 levels by 25 percent and 32 percent respectively. Saudi Arabia remains the top source country, followed by Turkey, which showed the highest year-on-year increase in student weeks. Additionally, recruitment channels continue to play a significant role, with agents contributing around 74 percent of student weeks in Q4 of 2023, albeit slightly lower than in previous quarters.
As we await the full-year data for 2023 in May, it’s evident that the UK ELT sector is navigating a complex landscape influenced by various external factors. The recovery trajectory reflects both resilience and challenges within the industry, with ongoing shifts in student preferences and global mobility patterns. Monitoring these trends closely will be essential for stakeholders to adapt strategies effectively and sustain recovery momentum.
Intrinsiq customers benefit from the ability to generate QUIC data in a single click, plus additional custom reporting that gives specific insights into their upcoming enrolments and studet recruitment progress.
#UKELT #EnglishLanguageTeaching #GlobalMobility #StudentRecruitment #EducationSector #PolicyChanges
