Free university tuition may sound like a worthy model but the question of whether or not it’s the best way to attract and keep foreign talent is never too far from public debate. As Finland’s plans to introduce fees take hold this year, Beckie Smith looks at current and former fee-free countries to see what the future may hold for this ideal.

A 2% rise in international applicants for full-time undergraduate study in the UK over the last year was not enough to offset a 5% fall in applicants from the EU, according to the latest figures from UCAS.

Senior officials at the US Department of Homeland Security have reportedly been discussing proposals which would require international students to reapply for permission to stay in the US each year.

A drastic drop in international students coming to the US feared by many in the Trump era will likely not materialise, according to an inter-association survey.

The number of international students in the US topped 1.18 million in May this year, SEVIS data shows. Nepalese students enrolments climbed 18% in the last year, a growth rate outstripping the 2% increase in total international student numbers.

Australia has joined the UK and US in experiencing a fall in interest as a study destination, according to new study search data from 11 million students. Canada meanwhile has seen a spike.

Students around Europe are uncertain of the impact Brexit will have on their education but remain concerned about funding, campus diversity, career options and being welcomed in the UK, according to a QS survey.

China has announced new measures for universities on the management of international students studying in the country, which include increasing the presence of Chinese culture, customs and language into their curriculum.