TIME Association International Mobility Report

APRIL 2021
International
student mobility
Report
T.I.M.E. Association
Gwenaëlle Guillerme
Secretary General - T.I.M.E. Association
Introduction
The objective of this report is to provide key The OECD forecasts a total of 8 million
figures related to students enrolled in higher internationally mobile students by 2025
education around the world. It is based on the (OECD, 2017). Is this still a viable assumption?
data collected by the Unesco Institute for The pandemic has disrupted international
Statistics. A longitudinal approach was also student mobility. What will the future of
considered to highlight the changes over the international student mobility actually look
five years (2008-2018). like after the crisis? Obviously, international
enrollment will be impacted. Yet, students
The world’s international student population interest in international education (personal
reached 5.6 million in 2018. Half of these growth, search for excellent education, and
students come from Asia-Oceania. English- career benefits) in international education will
speaking countries are still among the largest continue.
hosts for international students dominated by
the United States, the United Kingdom, and However, renewed optimism is not naive.
Australia. Non-English speaking countries There will be important lessons to be drawn.
such as Germany, Russia and France are also New international mobility formats will
large hosts of international students. While emerge. Confronting the crisis also means
Western countries have long attracted many understanding its roots, resisting any form of
international students, other countries have ideological drift – protectionism, xenophobia,
seen a considerable increase in international fear. This crisis must not lead us to radically
enrollments. Notably, China, and Turkey question the free movement of people and
posted increases of 85% to 138% over the five goods. The health crisis is occurring at a time
years under study (2013-2018). South Korea, when we need to find a new balance.
Belgium and Argentina have also seen strong
growth in the number of students they host Is it T.I.M.E. for a international mobility
(up 20% to 23% in a year). "renaissance"?
As far as the outgoing mobility is concerned, Our mission is to get through this crisis
the top sending countries are dominated by together. No one ever said it would be easy,
China, India, Germany, Vietnam, South Korea but we will make it.
and France - In absolute terms, Chinese and
Indian students remain by far the largest Gwenaëlle Guillerme
contingents seeking a degree abroad. Other Secretary General, T.I.M.E. Association
Asian countries, such as Nepal (+27%) and
Vietnam (+15%) also saw growth in outbound
mobility between 2017 and 2018.
HTTP://TIMEASSOCIATION.ORG/
Methodology
The first part of this report aims to provide a global statistical picture of degree-seeking
international students flows in tertiary education. It outlines the overall distribution of
mobile students worldwide as well as the analysis of mobility from a regional perspective It
is based on the annually data collection of the UIS-UNESCO.
The analysis focuses exclusively on student degree mobility, which is defined as "long term
mobility of students with the purpose of completing a whole study cycle and the
acquisition of a degree (Bachelor, Master or PhD) abroad."
There are some limitations. Despite some countries having reported data up to 2020, only
mobility data from 2018 are consistently reported. Moreover, data of UIS-UNESCO does
not allow a differentiated analysis of mobile students by field of study.
In the second part, we will provide T.I.M.E. Mobility data with a focus on Semester
Exchanges and Double Degrees between T.I.M.E. Members for the academic year from
2018-2019 to 2019-2020.
All statistical analysis was performed using R programming language.
Table of contents
Part 1 Student mobility worldwide
Population forecast (20-24).....................p.2

Student population....................................p.3
Incoming mobility.....................................p.10
Outbound mobility....................................p.24
Regional trends...........................................p.38
Part 2 Student mobility between T.I.M.E. Members
Geographic representation......................p.46
Country attractiveness..............................p.48
T.I.M.E. Mobility........................................p.49
225 m
KEY STUDENT POPULATI ON
FIGURES
5.6 m
I NTERNATI ONAL STUDENTS
6,000,000
4,000,000
2,000,000
0
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
EUROPE
1ST HOST REGION
665 M
POPULATION FORECAST
(20-24) BY WORLD REGION
POPULATION AGED 20-24

BY 2050
Figure 1: Population aged 20-24 by world region
Asia
Africa
Source: United Nations, Population Division, April 2021. Author's own calculations.
In Europe, North America, Latin America and Oceania, the size of youth population is
projected to slightly decline by 2050 (median prediction interval). As a proportion of
the 20-24 population, Europe will count for 5%, North America (4%), Latin America
(7%) and Oceania (1%) in 2050. Asia's population 20-24 is declining, but will count for
50% in 2050.
By contrast, the youth population of Africa is expected to continue growing. By 2050, it

will have almost double its current size. One third of the population 20-24 will be in
Africa (33%).
However, in 2050, 55% of the expected concentration of growth will be in ten countries
(India, China, Nigeria, Pakistan,Indonesia,the United States, Ethiopia, Democratic
Republic of Congo, Brazil, Bangladesh)
Page 2
STUDENT POPULATION
GLOBAL OVERVIEW
225 M
POST SECONDARY STUDENTS
IN THE WORLD (2018)
Figure 2: Evolution of the world student population (1970-2018)
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021. Author's own calculations.
The landscape of higher education globally continues to shift remarkably.

According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, in 1970 there were 32 million
students enrolled in higher education institutions compared to 100 million in
2000. This represents an increase of 212% over this period and 125% between
2000 (100 million) and 2018.
Page 3
STUDENT POPULATION
PER REGION
+36%
POST SECONDARY STUDENTS
IN THE WORLD (2008-2018)
Figure 3: Evolution of the student population in (2008-2018) per world region
In 10 years, student population has grown by almost 40%, from 164 million
to 225 million, with most of the growth taking place in Asia (+64%)
Similarly, but in smaller volumes, Africa and Latin America have seen
respectively an increase at 39% and 50%. North America (+4%) and Europe
(-14%) see their share decrease sharply.
Page 4
STUDENT POPULATION
PER COUNTRY (TOP 20) 35%
CHINA AND INDIA ACCOUNT FOR
35% OF THE WORLD STUDENT
POPULATION
Figure 4: Student population per country (Top 20) in 2017 and 2018.
2008 2018
Missing data for the United States in 2008
China and India (N=79 M) account for 35% of the world's student population (225
million). Student numbers have increased by 68% in China, 100% in India, and 82% in
Indonesia between 2008 and 2018. With the expected decline in the student
population, this growth is expected to slow down by 2030.
In Latin America, Brazil, Mexico and Colombia experienced a rapid growth in student
numbers by 47% , 74% and 62%
On the European continent (non-EU countries), different dynamics can be observed

such as a decrease in the number of students in Russia (-39%) offset by the rapid
increase in the number of students in Turkey (+200%), 5 774 913 and 7 560 371
respectively.
In the Middle East, Egypt and Iran are part of the Top 20 countries for student
population in 2018. Page 5
5,571,402
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
AROUND THE WORLD
1 211 931 2 214 161

1 225 253
224 480
190 423
505 155
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

INCOMING MOBILITY DESTINATIONS AND ORIGIN
OF MOBILE STUDENTS ACROSS
CONTINENTS (2018)
Figure 5: Destinations and origin of mobile students across world region (2018)
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021.

Author's own calculations.
European countries host the biggest share of mobile students: 40% of the global mobile students are
studying in a European country, whereas approximately one quarter of all mobile students is studying
in North America or Asia. Almost, one in five mobile students choose a host country in Oceania while
only 4% study in an African country or 3% in Latin America.
European students, as shown in the lower half of the graph, represent only 18% of the world’s mobile
student population. European countries in total can therefore be seen as net importing countries by
receiving almost two times more students than sending. Northern America’s import-export ratio is
even more distinctive: North America receive more mobile students than they have own students
studying abroad. In contrast, Asia represent the countries of origin for over half of the mobile students
worldwide (61%) but they host “only” 22% of them.
Page 7
Europe
INCOMING MOBILITY
1ST HOST REGION
2013 2018
2,500,000
In 2018, nearly 5.6 million

2,000,000 students were on mobility
worldwide (out of 225 million
1,500,000
students) compared to 4.2
million in 2013, an increase of
32%. Despite this increase,
1,000,000 student mobility still only
concerns 2% of the world
500,000 student population.
0
pe
ica
ia
ia
ica
a
ric
As
an
ro
er
er
Af
ce
Eu
Am
Am
O
n
tin
er
La
th
or
N
Table 1: Number of incoming students per world region (2013-2018)
The European Union is a key geographical area receiving 2.2 million students, followed
by North America (1,2 million) and Asia-Oceania (1,7 million). Europe and North America
alone account for 60% of inward mobility, while Africa (224 480), Latin America and the
Caribbean (190 423) account for less than 4%.
Page 8
INCOMING MOBILITY
5,6 M
MOBILE STUDENTS IN THE
WORLD (2018)
In addition to the growth in the number of mobile students, the number of destination
countries of destination is also increasing. In recent years, several countries have
developed internationalisation policies. They are capturing a growing share such as
with Asia (+44%) and in particularly with China (+85%) between 2013 and 2018 (See
Table 2 - p.10)
In terms of country destinations, English-speaking countries are the most attractive

student destinations overall, with four countries receiving almost 40% of all
internationally mobile students. The United States is the top destination country for
international tertiary students. Of the 5.6 million international students, 987 314 are
enrolled in programmes in the United States. Then, among the English-speaking
countries, the United Kingdom accounts for 452 079 international students, Australia
444 514 and Canada 224 548.
As a destination country, the United States alone accounts for 18% of the global
education market share. Australia and the United Kingdom each have respectively
8% of the global market share .
In Europe, Germany is also major EU host country with almost 6% of the global mobile
students, followed by France (4%). The Russian Federation is another major
destination, with 5% of global mobile students.
The OECD forecast a total of 8 million internationally mobile students by 2025 (OECD,
2017). Is it still a viable assumption? The pandemic has disrupted international student
mobility. What will the future of international student mobility actually look like after
the crisis?
Page 9
INCOMING MOBILITY
Top 20 countries
Table 2: Number of incoming students - Top 20 Countries (2017 and 2018)
Page 10
INCOMING MOBILITY
Figure 7: Share of incoming and outgoing mobile students relative to mobile student population
(2018)
The graphs display the relation between outgoing and incoming mobility by correlating
the total numbers of outgoing and incoming mobile students with the international
student population in 2018. The calculation is based on the Top 20 Incoming countries.
Total IN= 4 185 667, Top 20 Total OUT = 1 991 478). We can identify four major groups of
countries.
However, in order to describe and categorize countries regarding their student mobility
pattern, we also have to compare incoming and outgoing mobility flows with the size of
the national student population (See Figure 8, p.12).
Page 11
INCOMING MOBILITY Incoming and Outgoing mobility flows
with the size of the national student
population in 2018
Figure 8: Share of incoming and outgoing mobile students

relative to national student population (2018)
This graph displays the relation between outgoing and incoming mobility by correlating the total
numbers of outgoing and incoming mobile students with the host country’s student population. In
the case of China and the United States, the size of the student population (44 M and 18 M respectively)
could be explanations for these findings. As Figure 8 shows, 26 % of the total national student
population in Australia (N=1 677 242), are international students (N=444 514).
This graph also indicates several types of mobility patterns:
Countries with high shares of incoming mobile and outgoing mobile students studying abroad such
as Switzerland and Austria;
Countries with high shares of incoming mobile students and low shares of outgoing mobile students
such the United Kingdom, Australia;
Countries with low shares of incoming mobile students and high shares of outgoing mobile students
such as Saudi Arabia, South Korea
Countries with low shares of incoming mobile students and low shares of outgoing mobile students
such as Turkey, Argentina
Page 12
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
Ch
0
25,000
50,000
75,000
100,000
in Ch
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LEADERS IN INBOUND MOBILITY - TOP 1
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Page 13
ki il re

st a
an
LEADERS IN INBOUND
United States
MOBILITY - TOP 1
INCOMING STUDENTS: 987 314
OUTGOING STUDENTS: 84 349
Nb of Incoming students
per country of origin
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
a
Sa K ia
i A ea
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M m
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Nb of USA students
per country of destination
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Ca UK
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Page 14
LEADERS IN INBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 2 United Kingdom
125,000
100,000
75,000
50,000
25,000
0
a
a
g A
al g
sia
Fr ly
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N ny
G ria
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M on
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ig
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Nb of UK students
12,500
10,000
7,500
5,000
2,500
0
er s
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Page 15
LEADERS IN INBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 3
Australia
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
a
N ia
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Pa esia
g n
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n
a
Nb of UK students
5,000 per country of destination
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0
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d
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Ja a
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Page 16
ew
LEADERS IN INBOUND Germany
MOBILITY - TOP 4
40,000 per country of origin
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
a
Au ia
Ru ia
Fr ia
ce
ria
Ca ur y
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m
SA
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ss
oo
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Ch
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Nb of German students
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
rla a
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s
nd
Fr S
Tu ce
nm y
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Sw ary
en
De rke
nd
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itz U
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Page 17
Sw
LEADERS IN INBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 5 Russia
Missing data for the

incoming students in Russia
(Unesco database)
Nb of Russian students
12,500
10,000
7,500
5,000
2,500
0
Cz any
a
SA
Fr K
ce
Fi aly
Be nd
rg us
Ca tan
da
hi
U
an
Ky lar
na
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a
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ys
m
nl
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G
Page 18
LEADERS IN INBOUND
France
MOBILITY - TOP 6 INCOMING STUDENTS: 229 623
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Al co
Ch a
Tu na
Se isia
l
y ly
b t
m on
Vi oon
m
ga
Le oas
ri
or Ita
na
oc
i
ge
Ca an
ne
n
er
C
et
or
M
Iv
Nb of French students
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Be ada
m
er K
er d
Sp y
n
rla A
m s
ia
ly
an
Ro nd
itz U
ai
G lan
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Ita
an
iu
et U
m
n
lg
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Page 19
Sw
N
Japan
LEADERS IN INBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 8
75,000
50,000
25,000
0
Vi ina
m
K al
do ea
ai a
Sr nd
ya a
al r
sia
SA
M ma
Th esi
M Lnk
ep
na
In or
U
la
ay
Ch
n
N
et
Nb of Japanese students
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
SA
s K
er ia
Ca ny
Ko a
Br a
Fr zil
al e
un a
ry
d
re
H ysi
M nc
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G tral
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na
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a
a
Page 20
Canada
LEADERS IN INBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 7 INCOMING STUDENTS: 224 548
50,000
25,000
0
a
Fr ia
ce
Sa Ni SA
i A ria
Ko ia
a
Br n
ki il
an
Pa az
in
re
Ira
d
b
an
st
U
ud ge
Ch
In
ra
Nb of Canadian students
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
SA
st K
Ire lia
er d
Fr ay
re e
da
Sw Ko ia
er a
nd
itz re
G nc
Au U
G lan
d
ra
na
U
la
In

m
Page 21
LEADERS IN INBOUND China
MOBILITY - TOP 9

incoming students in China
(Unesco database)
Nb of Chinese students
400,000
333 935
300,000
200,000
100,000 70 877
18 338
0
st A
lia
Ja K
Ca an
da
g a
er g
N F ny
Ze nce
d
G on
on ore
U
an
Au US
ra
a
p
na
m
ew ra
K
al
H K
Page 22
LEADERS IN INBOUND
Turkey
MOBILITY - TOP 10
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Tu erb yria
en n
an
an n
an
er q
G ny
Bu ece
So aria
ia
m ja
gh Ira
G Ira
al
a
ist
ist
rk ad
m
re
m
Az S
lg
Af
Nb of Turkish students
7,500
5,000
2,500
0
er A
y
K
Az Aus y
ba a
Fr an
U nce
th Bu ine
ed ia
ia
an
l
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U
G US
Ita
ac ar
on
dj
a
m
M lg
kr
Page 23
or
OUTGOING MOBILITY Asia Oceania
MOST MOBILE REGION
4,000,000
3,000,000
2,000,000
1,000,000
0
ia
pe
ica
ica
ia
ric
As
an
ro
er
er
Af
ce
Eu
Am
Am
O
tin
n
er
La
th
or
N
Table 3: Number of outgoing students per world region (2013-2018)
Page 24
OUTGOING MOBILITY
Top 20 countries
Table 4: Number of outgoing students per Top 20 outgoing countries (2018)
Page 25
OUTGOING MOBILITY
In 2018, Chinese and Indian students are still by far the most likely to study abroad.
The number of internationally mobile students from these countries is also
increasing at a much faster rate (+7% and +10% respectively over one year).
Although India still sends far fewer mobile students than China, it has seen a much
greater increase over five years (+97% compared to +38%).
Other Asian countries such as Nepal (+27%) and Vietnam (+15%) have also seen their
outgoing student numbers increase over one year. The latter has thus become the
4th country of origin for mobile students in 2018.
Europe is also an important departure zone, with 1 009 620 people studying in a
country other than their own in 2018. It represents almost 18% of the total mobile
population. North America mobile students (N=84 349) accounts only for 1,5%.
Nigeria (-11%) follows a reverse trend, with a decrease in the number of its mobile
students - a first for this country which had previously experienced uninterrupted
growth in its outgoing numbers.
South Korea remains the fifth most popular country of origin for internationally
mobile students, but there has been a slight decrease over one year (-4%).
France, whose numbers are increasing (+11%), remains the sixth country of origin of
internationally mobile students.
Page 26
Ky
0
100,000
200,000
300,000
400,000
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
rg
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
yz Au US
st U st A
Tu an S ra
rk Ja A lia
ey Au pa U
U st n
r Ja K
p
Cz SA Ca alia Ca an
ec na
hi na d
Top 5 - Korea
a da H Ko a
Top 1 -China
on re
G U g a
er K G U K
m er K G on
an
Ch m er g
m
in an a
a, F N F ny
Top 8- Kazakhstan
Ko y
r H a y r ew ra
o n Ze nce
Po ea N ng ce al
l ew K an
M and o d
al N Zea ng
ay et la
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
Ca sia he n
na rla d
da nd Au US
s st A
r
Ca alia
na
da
G U
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
Au N er K
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
st Ca ew m
Top 2-India
ra n Ze any
li Be ada al
a
Ja a lg U nd
kr

pa iu
n m Ky ai
gy ne
U Sw zs
SA itz U G tan
In er K Ka eo
d za rgi
Top 6- France
G lan kh a
Top 9-Nepal
Ko ia er d st
re m an
Fi a an
n
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
G lan Sp y N Au
N e r ai
n
et s
ew m d N he tri
rla a
et U
Ze any he S nd
al rla A Sw s
a itz U
Ro nd er K
Cy nd
m s la
p an nd
N rus ia U
or Fr S
w Ita an
ay ly Tu ce
Top 3-Germany
De rke
nm y
H ar
un k
g
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
Sw ary
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
ed
U Ca UK en
SA
G nad
er a
m
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
Ca UK
n G an Ja
pa
re y n
Top 7- USA
Au ad
st a Ar nad Au US
M rali ge a st A
al a nt ra
ay i l
Fr na Ko ia
Ba sia an re
hr Fr a
a N Aus ce an
ce
Ire in ew tr
la G U
n Ze alia
Top 10-Saudi Arabia

er K
Jo d m
Top 4-Viet Nam
al a
rd a Ca ny
Po an M nd na
ex N Fi da
la ic ew nl
n
Page 27
Q d Ja o Ze and
at pa al
an
ar n d
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
China
MOBILITY - TOP 1
Nb of Chinese students
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
st A
lia
Ja K
Ca an
H Ko a
g a
er g
N F ny
Ze nce
d
G on
d
on re
U
an
Au US
ra
a
p
na
m
ew ra
K
al

incoming students in China
(Unesco database)
Page 28
India
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 2
Nb of Indian students
150,000
100,000
50,000
0
st A
Ca alia
da
N er UK
Ze any
U nd
gy ne
G tan
kh a
an
za rgi
Au US
st
na
Ky ai
a
zs
r
ew m
Ka eo
al
kr
G
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Ba ani al
la n
Bh sh
N an
ia
Ye SA
iL n
ka
M Iran
sia
ng sta
Sr me

gh ep
er
an
de
ut
ay
ig
Af N
al
Page 29
LEADERS IN INBOUND Germany
MOBILITY - TOP 3
Nb of German students
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
rla a
er K
s
nd
Fr S
Tu ce
nm y
un k
Sw ary
en
De rke
nd
H ar
he tri
U
itz U
an
ed
la
g
et s
N Au
Sw
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
a
Au ia
Ru ia
Fr ia
ce
ria
Tu ly
m ey
n
SA
in
oo
Ita
d
r
ss
Ca rk
an
st
Sy
U
Ch
In
er
Page 30
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND Vietnam
MOBILITY - TOP 4
Nb of Vietnamese students
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
n
st A
Ko ia
Fr ea
ce
er K
Ca ny
N Fi da
Ze and
d
G U
pa
an
Au S
l
ra
an
a
r
na
U
m
Ja
ew nl
al
5,000
2,500
0
m DR
Ko ia
Ch a
Fr na
M ya e
Ti mb ar
or ue
Th este
N nd
ia
re
M anc
d
er
oz nm
i
m iq
la
Ca P
bo
ig
-L
ai
o
Page 31
La
a
South Korea
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 5 OUTGOING STUDENTS: 101 774
60,000 Nb of Korean students

40,000
20,000
0
Ja A
st n
Ca alia
da
er K
H ra y
N ng ce
N Zea ng
rla d
s
an
nd
G U
Au pa
he n
S
o n
o
na
U
et la
r
ew K
a, F
in
Ch
60,000
40,000
20,000
0
et a
M Nam
ek ia
Ja n
Pa pan
N n
al
Ba on A
la ia
sh
Vi hin
In US
zb ol
ep
ng es
de
ist
st
U ng
ki
C
Page 32
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
France
MOBILITY - TOP 6
Nb of French students
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Be ada
m
er K
er d
Sp y
n
rla A
m s
ia
ly
an
Ro nd
itz U
ai
G lan
he S
Ita
an
iu
et U
m
n
lg
Ca
Sw
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Al co
Ch a
Tu na
Se isia
l
y ly
b t
m on
Vi oon
m
ga
Le oas
ri
or Ita
na
oc
i
ge
Ca an
ne
n
er
C
et
or
M
Iv
Page 33
United States
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
MOBILITY - TOP 7
Nb of American students
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Ca UK
er a
re y
ge a
Fr na
N Aus ce
Ze alia
M nd
Ja o
n
G an
G nad
Ar nad
ic
pa
an
i
a
ex
nt
ew tr
m
al
400,000
300,000
200,000
100,000
0
a
Sa K a
i A ea
Ca bia
Vi ada
M m
Ja o
N n
Br l
il
a
az
in
di
ic
pa
ep
na
ud or
ex
Ch
In
ra
n
et
Page 34
Kazakhstan
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
Nb of Kazakhstan students
2,500
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
Tu an
ey
Cz SA
a
er K
Ko y
Po ea
M land
Ca sia
da
an
hi
G U
rk
r
st
na
U
ay
ec
m
yz
al
rg
Ky
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Tu In n
ek ia
an
rg sia
Ch n
on a
Af jiki ia
an n
Tu an
ey
M in
a
gh sta
rk d
Ta gol
rk
st
ist
st
ist
Ky Rus
ki
yz
be
U
Page 35
Nepal
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
Nb of Nepalese students
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
Ja a
n
SA
Ko ia
Fi ea
N er d
Ze any
Cy nd
N rus
ay
li
pa
G lan
d
ra
w
r
U
a
In
p
ew m
or
al
st
n
Au

incoming students in Nepal
(Unesco database)
Page 36
Saudi Arabia
LEADERS IN OUTBOUND
Nb of Saudi Arabian students

50,000
40,000
30,000
20,000
10,000
0
SA
Ca UK
st a
al a
Ba sia
Ire in
Jo d
Po an
Q d
ar
Au ad
M rali
n
a
at
rd
U
la
la
ay
hr
n
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
en
le ia
Eg e
Jo pt
Pa dan
do n
sia
Af ig ia
an ia
an
in
In ista
Pa yr
d
gh er
y
ist
m
ne
In
st
S
r
Ye
Page 37
REGIONAL TRENDS
INBOUND MOBILE STUDENTS
FROM EUROPE (both sexes, number)
UK
Germany
USA
Austria
Netherlands
Italy
Poland
France
Switzerland
Czechia
Canada
Spain
Denmark
Belgium
Romania
Turkey
Hungary
Australia
Sweden
Bulgaria
0 50,000 100,000 150,000
FOCUS EUROPE
Europe is characterised by a high level of intra-regional mobility , which is particularly
visible in the outgoing mobility data. The majority of mobile European students stay in
Europe.
The United Kingdom and Germany are the top destinations for European students
followed by the United States.
Page 38
REGIONAL TRENDS INBOUND MOBILE STUDENTS
FROM ASIA (both sexes, number)
USA
Australia
UK
Japan
Canada
Germany
Turkey
Korea
France
Saudi Arabia
New Zealand
Jordan
Italy
Hong Kong
Ukraine
India
Iran
Macao
Netherlands
Greece
0 10,000 20,000 30,000
FOCUS ASIA
The United States, Australia and UK (english-speaking countries) are the top 3
destinations for students from Asia.
In Europe, Germany is also attracting more and more students(+ 10%), particularly from
China and India.
Page 39
INBOUND MOBILE STUDENTS
FROM NORTH AMERICA
REGIONAL TRENDS (both sexes, number)
USA
UK
Canada
Germany
Grenada
Australia
France
Argentina
Ireland
New Zealand
Japan
Mexico
Spain
India
Switzerland
Korea
Netherlands
Saudi Arabia
Poland
Italy
0 10,000 20,000 30,000
FOCUS NORTH AMERICA
North America's students are not very mobile. Only 134 388 were registered in degree-granting
mobility in 2018.This figure does not include the much larger number of young Americans, who make
short stays, particularly in the context of language stays and summer schools.
For a degree seeking mobility, most of them remain in the region. However, we see an interest for
the European continent, namely the United Kingdom and Germany (+18%)
Page 41
FROM AFRICA
(both sexes, number)
France
USA
South Africa
UK
Germany
Canada
Saudi Arabia
Morocco
Turkey
Senegal
Italy
Ukraine
India
Australia
Ghana
Cameroon
Portugal
Benin
Tunisia
Brazil
0 25,000 50,000 75,000 100,000 125,000
FOCUS AFRICA
France remain the top destination for students from Africa, mostly from North Africa
( Morocco and Algeria) . For tertiary students staying within the continent, South
Africa is the most popular destination choice. Germany is also attracting more
students from Africa (+13).
Page 43
FROM SOUTH AMERICA
(both sexes, number)
USA
Spain
Australia
Germany
France
Canada
Portugal
UK
Brazil
Italy
Chile
Colombia
Netherlands
Switzerland
Japan
Austria
Honduras
New Zealand
Sweden
El Salvador
0 20,000 40,000 60,000 80,000
FOCUS LATIN AMERICA

The United States is the top destination for degree-seeking mobility students from South
America.
Europe is also an attractive destination: Spain is the first EU destination, followed by
Germany (+17%), France (-12%) and Portugal (+40%).
Page 42
FROM OCEANIA (both sexes, number)
USA
New Zealand
Australia
UK
Germany
Canada
Japan
France
Saudi Arabia
Indonesia
Switzerland
Denmark
India
Korea
Ireland
Netherlands
Austria
Sweden
Turkey
Italy
0 2,500 5,000 7,500
FOCUS OCEANIA
The Top 3 countries for Oceanian students are English-speaking destinations, namely
USA, Canada and Australia. As stated earlier, the outgoing mobile student
population (N=31 347) represents 1% of the total mobile population.
Page 40
T.I.M.E.
ASSOCIATION
T.I.M.E. ASSOCIATION
The T.I.M.E Association aims to be the most reliable source for its members on the
state of international education in science and technology. It is therefore essential
to understand student mobility dynamics within T.I.M.E. How many are the T.I.M.E.
Double Degree (DD) students? Where do they come from? Where do they go?
What kind of similarities and differences are there between the countries
represented in T.I.M.E.?
A survey was conducted, accessible between 1st December and 31 March 2021.
Data collected showed the number of semester exchanges and double degree
students within T.I.M.E. for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 in STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics).
This report has some limitations to bear in mind. While some Members were able
to collect data for a range of STEM faculties, most of the T.I.M.E. Members could
provide data only for the School of Engineering. We should also take into
consideration the size and type of the different institutions involved and the
unbalanced representation among the countries represented in the network.
There were also some unbalanced between the IN and OUT data reported.
Therefore, since we are dealing with mobility between members of the network,
the best approach was to consider the outgoing mobility data. Incoming mobility
data were obtained by cross-referencing outgoing data.
The statistics are represented in absolute figures, in order to have a clear

geographic representation of the T.I.M.E. students. France, Italy, Germany, Sweden
and Denmark are the main hosting T.I.M.E. Double Degree countries. From the
outgoing mobility perspective, the most mobile students within T.I.M.E. come from
France, Spain, Brazil, Italy and China.
Page 45
T.I.M.E. GEOGRAPHIC
PARTICIPATION
Figure 9 : T.I.M.E. Survey respondents's geographic representation
Source: T.I.M.E. Association's survey, April 2021.
The T.I.M.E. Association is an international network of 57 world-class higher education

institutions, represented in 25 countries. Almost 30% are non-European Members. As
stated in our vision, T.I.M.E. Association has the objective to have the most developed
cooperation network for Double Degree at master level covering the five continents.
This mobility survey collected data from 56 T.I.M.E. Members (*) from 25 countries. The
French members account for 14 % of the respondents, followed respectively by the
German (11%) and the Spanish Members (9%).
(*) Data are missing for AGH (Poland)
Page 46
EVOLUTION - SEMESTER EXCHANGE
AND DOUBLE DEGREE
Figure 10 : Number of students per type of student mobility exchange
798 4170
781 3985
This graphs represents the total flows of students, both for semester exchanges and
Double Degree between T.I.M.E Members from 2018/2019 to 2019/2020. Data were
reported by 56 T.I.M.E. Members (out of the 57 *)
For double degree, the population covered is those students whose initial mobility was
in the year of reference. Students who were in their second year of the double degree
were counted only once the year before.
The numbers remained stable between the two academic years. Over the period,
almost 1600 students enrolled in a double degree programme between two T.I.M.E.
institutions.
In 2014, a similar survey was conducted taking into account the academic period
(2010-2014 equal to four academic years). At that time (53 Members in 2014), we had
on average an average of 600 T.I.M.E. Double Degree students per year.
Page 47
COUNTRY
ATTRACTIVENESS
Figure 11 : Number of incoming and outgoing students per T.I.M.E. Country
Source: T.I.M.E. Association's survey, April 2021. Authors's own calculations
The statistical background of balanced and imbalanced mobility is quite complex.

Positive or negative balanced and imbalanced mobility can differ depending on the
perspective: country of destination or origin, higher education institutions, the
economy, higher education policies..).
Looking within the T.I.M.E. Association, only countries such as France and Italy have a
relative balance between their IN and OUT T.I.M.E. double degree student flows.
Northern European countries such as Sweden can be seen as net importing countries
by receiving more than they send. Similar mobility patterns can also be found with
Denmark and Germany.
Page 48
T.I.M.E. DOUBLE DEGREE
MOBILITY (2018-2020)
The host-country T.I.M.E. Double Degree ranking is dominated by France, Italy, Germany,
Sweden and Denmark. They account for 70% of the T.I.M.E. DD incoming mobility.
in absolute numbers, France is also the leading sending country, followed by Spain,
Brazil, Italy and China. This five countries (out of the 25 countries in T.I.M.E.) represent
almost 80% of the outgoing T.I.M.E. DD mobility. Also, around 30% of the T.I.M.E.
outgoing students come from outside Europe, mainly from Brazil (15%).
Members from Argentina, Finland, Latvia and Romania recently joined the T.I.M.E.
Association. We expect to see an increase in the coming years.
Page 49
T.I.M.E.ASSOCIATION
OUTGOING MOBILITY
Figure 13: Top leading countries of origin of T.I.M.E. students and destination countries
(T.I.M.E. Double Degree Mobility: 2018-2020)
Country of origin of T.I.M.E. Host T.I.M.E.

students destinations
(n=36)
(n=67)
(n=236)
(n=73)
(n=102) (n=111)
(n=303)
(n=497)
(n=263)
(n=82)
(n=293)
(n=164)
(n=59)
(n=79)
(n=75)
(n=257)
(n=184)
Source: T.I.M.E. Association's survey, April 2021.Author's calculations Page 50

We can observe the following trends. First, 30% of the T.I.M.E. Double Degree (DD) come
from the French, followed by the Spanish (16%) and the Brazilian Members (15%). As far as
incoming mobility is concerned, France and Italy both have almost a 20% share, followed
by Germany (17%).
In France and Italy, the great majority of T.I.M.E. inbound DD students come from Brazil
(both ~25%), China (10% and 18%), Spain (both ~20%), France (19%), and Italy (10%). On
the other hand, the French students are mostly represented in Canada (93%), Denmark
(67%), Sweden (55%), Germany (22%), and Italy (19%). For the Italian students, the main
T.I.M.E. DD destinations are Spain (38%) , Sweden (15%), France (10%), and Germany (8%).
Germany receive most of their T.I.M.E. DD students from Spain (22%), France (22%), and
Brazil (17%). Also, 60% out of the students from Central Europe (Czech Republic and
Poland) chose Germany for their T.I.M.E. DD programme. German outgoing students are
mainly represented in Sweden (14%).
Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway) attract about 20% of T.I.M.E. DD students.
However, they represent 1% of the total outgoing mobility. In the case of Denmark, almost
70% of the incoming students come from France, followed by Spain (20%). In Sweden,
the French students represent 55% of the T.I.M.E. DD incoming students, followed by the
Italian (15%), German (14%), and Spanish students (9%).
From an outgoing perspective, Spain, Brazil and China represent almost 40% of the
T.I.M.E. outgoing mobility. Spain and Brazil share a similar T.I.M.E .mobility pattern. Most of
their students are represented in France (~25%), Germany (~20%) and Italy(~20%). For
China, their outgoing T.I.M.E. students are concentrated in Belgium (20%), Italy (18%),
France (11%). However, out of the 16 T.I.M.E. incoming students in China, 15 are Italian.
Lastly, looking at the incoming mobility in Asia-Oceania. In Japan, 65 % of the T.I.M.E. DD

are French (N=38). The German (N=6) together with the Italian (N=5) and Spanish
students (N=6) represent 30% of the incoming mobility in Japan. As far the outgoing
mobility is concerned, 16 Japanese students (out of 17) chose France. For Australia, the
T.I.M.E. incoming students come from France (N=9), Germany (N=3) and Sweden (N=2). It is
almost a perfect reciprocity with the outgoing flows as Australian students chose France
(N=4), Germany (N=4) and Sweden (N=2) for their T.I.M.E. Double Degree programme.
Page 52
T.I.M.E. Double Degree
(2018-2019 to 2019-2020) IN + OUT > 100
Figure 14: Number of incoming and outgoing Double Degree students per T.I.M.E. Member
(IN+OUT>100)
Source: T.I.M.E. Association's survey, April 2021.Author's own calculations
Page 53
(2018-2019 to 2019-2020) IN + OUT > 50
(IN+OUT>50)
Page 54
(2018-2019 to 2019-2020) IN + OUT > 20
(IN+OUT>20)
Page 55
(2018-2019 to 2019-2020)
IN + OUT < 20
(IN+OUT>50)
Page 56
Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all T.I.M.E. Members for their
contributions. I am very grateful for your help and
collaboration.
Contact
Gwenaëlle Guillerme
Secretary General
8-10 rue Joliot Curie
Gif-sur-Yvette
France
https://timeassociation.org/
@TIMEAssociation

TIME Association International Mobility Report

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All statistical analysis was performed using R programming language.

Part 1 Student mobility worldwide

Population forecast (20-24).....................p.2

Part 2 Student mobility between T.I.M.E. Members

POPULATION AGED 20-24

Figure 1: Population aged 20-24 by world region

By contrast, the youth population of Africa is expected to continue growing. By 2050, it

Figure 2: Evolution of the world student population (1970-2018)

The landscape of higher education globally continues to shift remarkably.

Figure 3: Evolution of the student population in (2008-2018) per world region

On the European continent (non-EU countries), different dynamics can be observed

1 211 931 2 214 161

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021.

1ST HOST REGION

In 2018, nearly 5.6 million

Table 1: Number of incoming students per world region (2013-2018)

In terms of country destinations, English-speaking countries are the most attractive

Table 2: Number of incoming students - Top 20 Countries (2017 and 2018)

Figure 8: Share of incoming and outgoing mobile students

This graph also indicates several types of mobility patterns:

and China (Top 9)

Missing data in the Unesco

database for Russia (Top 5)

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Missing data for the

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Missing data for the

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Table 3: Number of outgoing students per world region (2013-2018)

Table 4: Number of outgoing students per Top 20 outgoing countries (2018)

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

Top 10-Saudi Arabia

Missing data for the

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics, April 2021

60,000 Nb of Korean students

Missing data for the

Nb of Saudi Arabian students

followed by the United States.

destinations for students from Asia.

China and India.

FOCUS NORTH AMERICA

FOCUS LATIN AMERICA

Europe is also an attractive destination: Spain is the first EU destination, followed by

Germany (+17%), France (-12%) and Portugal (+40%).

population (N=31 347) represents 1% of the total mobile population.

The statistics are represented in absolute figures, in order to have a clear

Figure 9 : T.I.M.E. Survey respondents's geographic representation

Source: T.I.M.E. Association's survey, April 2021.

The T.I.M.E. Association is an international network of 57 world-class higher education

(*) Data are missing for AGH (Poland)

Figure 10 : Number of students per type of student mobility exchange

Source: T.I.M.E. Association's survey, April 2021.

Figure 11 : Number of incoming and outgoing students per T.I.M.E. Country

Source: T.I.M.E. Association's survey, April 2021. Authors's own calculations

The statistical background of balanced and imbalanced mobility is quite complex.