In May, higher education found itself at the centre of an international political controversy, with U.S. President Donald Trump making headlines for publicly opposing the enrolment of international students at elite American institutions. His remarks sparked global backlash and reignited fears of renewed visa crackdowns.
The fallout threatens to reshape the global business education landscape, as institutions in the UK, Canada, Australia, and Europe position themselves as more welcoming alternatives, and supporting diverse talent.
Amid the changing political climate in the U.S., China Daily reports that Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford are collaborating with Chinese education platform Know+ to welcome faculty across China to propose innovative solutions. Because of this, Chinese students are increasingly choosing to study in destinations with clearer post-graduation pathways and welcoming visa environments.
And, with the growing uncertainty around U.S. students’ visa policy - exacerbated by Trump’s comments - UK universities are stepping up their efforts to recruit Chinese students. BlueSky Education placed Kingston Business School in an article by the CNBC which reported how higher education institutions are positioning themselves as globally welcoming and culturally inclusive destinations for higher education, particularly in business and management programmes.
Elsewhere, Forbes looked into a recent report from Hult International Business School, which BlueSky Education supported, that highlights how students are no longer looking for a romanticised college experience — they want real-world skills, career pathways, and a return on investment - aligning with growing demand for practical, outcomes-focused education.
Business Insider reports how with remote and hybrid work here to stay the crossing boundaries between work and personal life is leading to a widespread burnout. BlueSky Education connected Business Insider with an expert at King’s Business School who highlighted the “intensification of work” and push back against the idea of “quiet quitting”.
In other developments, The Times reports on mounting pressure for the Bank of England to adopt a cautious approach to lowering interest rates. Jonathan Haskel, a professor of Economics at Imperial College London warns that premature cuts could undermine the UK’s fragile economic recovery, as its risks and market uncertainty remain in sharp focus.
BlueSky Education helped an insightful piece by Srividya Jandhyala from ESSEC Business School to be published in national South African newspaper Business Day, which explores the long-term impact of changing tariff regimes. While the immediate economic effects of tariffs often grabs headlines, it’s the secondary consequences that ultimately reshape international business.
In a feature interview with Poets & Quants, set up by BlueSky Education, Head of Kingston Business School, Sankar Sivarajah outlines his commitment to developing future-ready graduates through building a curriculum built on human-centred leadership and emotional intelligence. The school’s approach reflects a wider trend in business education which is prioritising skills that transcend disciplines.
This is just some of the coverage achieved within May 2025. It is our pleasure to highlight the fantastic work of our partners, and we look forward to so much more ahead.
For media support for your institution, contact BlueSky Education today.