Latest student statistics for Q4 2022 show steady post-pandemic recovery continues
The English UK QUIC data for Q4 confirms that the UK ELT sector's recovery trajectory continues at a gradual pace. With total student weeks up 28,000 (44%) on Q4 2021, the overall student week volume in the last quarter of 2022 reached about 56% of 2019 levels.
Continued rebound for junior course providers
The UK's lowest quarterly student week volume occurred in the midst of the pandemic, in Q1 of 2021. Recovery for the adult segment began from the begining of Q1 2022, but strong rebound in the junior segment was not seen until Q3 2022. Our latest Q4 statistics confirm junior rebound continued into the autumn.
Whilst adult student weeks grew by almost 40% in Q4 2022, junior student weeks soared by 346% (compared to Q4 2021). With 95% adult and 5% junior student weeks, the age structure is now very similar to pre-pandemic times.
Market dynamics reflecting pre-pandemic norms
Other market dynamics more closely resemble pre-pandemic norms - group booking figures doubled (to 12%) between Q4 2021 and 2022, the top ranked source markets largely reflect pre-pandemic ones albeit with the notable exceptions of China and Russia and the proportion of student weeks spent on General English courses (at 86% junior, 88% adult respectively) was slightly higher than in typical pre-pandemic times.
In economic impact studies conducted during pandemic our insigth partner BONARD forecast a 55-60% recovery for whole year of 2022 and 80% for 2023. BONARD believe the UK ELT market is in trajectory to meet these figures.
QUIC Q4 2022 executive summary at a glance
- Of a potential 235 teaching premise locations, 101 were operational.
- Student weeks totalled 92,411: 95% adult, 5% juniors.
- Compared to Q4 2021, junior student weeks were up 347% and adult up 40%.
- Group bookings (at 12%) were double the proportion seen in Q4 2021.
- Overall, one in five student weeks were direct bookings.
- Top 10 source markets represented 67% of all student weeks.
- Most of the top 10 source countries contributed significant growth to the sector, but not Kuwait.
- Top 5 adult source markets: Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Brazil, Japan and Turkey.
- Top 5 junior source markets: Spain, Italy, Germany, Thailand and Chile.
QUIC is an optional quarterly statistics scheme produced in collaboration with our insight partner BONARD. Data is provided each quarter by a representative sample of 120 English UK member centres - just over a third of the membership. Only top line findings (in the executive summary) are shared with a wider audience.
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