UK ELT market intelligence
We provide members with an in-depth analysis of the UK ELT industry's source markets, helping them make informed business decisions based on rigorous data.
We work with BONARD as our market intelligence and insight partner.
- Annual student statistics
- Quarterly student statistics
- Source market reports and insights
- Other market reports and research
- Latest news stories on market research and intelligence
English UK annual student statistics reports
We publish annual student statistics each May. The report breaks down student data (numbers and student weeks) by source market, length of stay and more. All English UK member centres submit their student data each year.
We publish a supplement after all eight major English-language teaching destinations release their annual student statistics. This supplement gives an overview of the UK in the global ELT context. It is usually published in Q3 each year.
2024 reports
- English UK student statistics report 2024: English language students in the UK in 2023 (full report)
[login required] - English UK student statistics report 2024: English language students in the UK in 2023 (summary)
- Addendum: English UK national data 2024 (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales 2022 vs 2023) [login required]
- Addendum: UK ELT in the global context 2024
- BONARD's Global ELT annual report 2024 (published September 2024)
2023 reports
- English UK student statistics report 2023: English language students in the UK in 2022 (full report) [login required]
- English UK student statistics report 2023: English language students in the UK in 2022 (summary)
- Addendum: English UK national data 2023 (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales 2021 vs 2022) [login required]
- Addendum: UK ELT in the global context 2023
- BONARD's Trends Shaping the Future of Global English Language Teaching (published Dec 2023)
2022 reports
- English UK student statistics report 2022: English language students in the UK in 2021 (full report) [login required]
- English UK student statistics report 2022: English language students in the UK in 2021 (summary)
- Addendum: English UK national data 2022 (Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales 2020 vs 2021 ) [login required]
- Addendum: Global ELT overview 2022
2021 reports
Quarterly Intelligence Cohort
Quarterly Intelligence Cohort (QUIC) provides a detailed analysis of the UK ELT industry's source markets every quarter. It is the most timely intelligence to monitor the industry's changing landscape.
The research introduces features not available in the annual statistics report. More in-depth student week data on 110+ source markets is gathered quarterly, so the market insights are more frequent and granular. They include breakdowns by age, course type, booking source and booking type.
Participation is open to English UK members only and is optional. Whilst an executive summary is available to all members (see below), the full report, webinar and Excel datasets are exclusive to the QUIC participants.
QUIC executive summaries
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Source market reports and insights
English UK and the British Council collaborate on joint research initiatives to support the recruitment of students at accredited UK ELT institutions.
These reports are designed as practical 'how-to' guides for helping members work in the target source market.
English Language Market Report: Saudi Arabia published November 2023:
English Language Market Report: Saudi Arabia [login required]
Europe Future Outlook Report published June 2021:
Europe Future Outlook Report [login required]
English Language Market Report: Japan published July 2020:
English Language Market Report: Japan [login required]
English Language Market Report: Thailand published 2018:
English Language Market Report: Thailand [login required]
Other reports and research
Report on accommodation in the UK ELT Sector - published July 2024
Report on UK ELT student accommodation shortages in 2023 [login required]
The report, compiled from responses from 91 English UK member centres, quantifies the sector's accommodation offer. It accurately depicts shortages and their effects on the industry in 2023. These shortages impacted the centres' ability to grow their enrolment numbers and match their students' preferences. Respondents also suggest initiatives that could help improve the situation.
The online market for UK ELT 2021 - published March 2022
QUIC: online market for UK ELT 2021 [login required]
This report represents the industry's first effort to document the UK's online English language course offering. English UK commissioned BONARD to undertake a supplementary survey of its members who participated in the quarterly student statistics scheme QUIC in 2021.
The data collected provides insight into how much this type of product development was as a result of the pandemic (i.e. 'emergency remote teaching') and what part of the offer is 'standalone'. (Standalone online English language courses are not customarily declared in student statistics requested by English UK.)
What do English language students contribute to the UK infographic - published in 2019
What do English language students contribute to the UK
English language teaching jobs in the UK infographic - published in 2019
English language teaching jobs in the UK
Latest news stories on market research and intelligence
Recent member news on market research and insights:
- Feb 2025: Q4 2024 student statistics confirm 2023 as the new 'year zero' for UK ELT
- Dec 2024: English UK's summer statistics - the new normal?
- May 2024: 2024 Student Statistics Report: UK ELT's slow but steady recovery continues at the expense of competitors
- March 2024: Q4 student statistics suggest 2023 was the best recovery year since the pandemic
- Nov 2023: Saudi Arabia ELT market report provides an in-depth analysis of an evolving market