However, beneath the overall decline, the Q4 data reveals important differences by age group, market and course type including early signs of renewed momentum in the junior segment.
Overall demand remains under pressure
In Q4 2025, participating QUIC centres delivered a total of 88,812 student weeks across 106 operational teaching locations. This represents a 21% year‑on‑year decline compared to Q4 2024 and reflects the pattern of reduced demand seen throughout the year, rather than a late-year slowdown.
Junior demand shows renewed momentum
One of the most notable findings from the final quarter of 2025 was a 5% increase in junior student weeks year‑on‑year. This is the first period of growth recorded for juniors during the year.
This growth was concentrated entirely in General English courses, with growth driven primarily by students from Spain, Chile and Japan.
Adult demand continues to decline
Adult student weeks fell by 23% year‑on‑year in Q4 2025, with the sharpest declines coming from Kuwait, Colombia and Saudi Arabia. These trends highlight the continued pressure on adult mobility, including tighter overseas scholarship regulations in Kuwait and the reintroduction of UK visa requirements for Colombian nationals in late 2024.
Stable booking behaviour despite lower volumes
Despite falling volumes, booking patterns remained broadly stable. Commissionable bookings accounted for 75% of student weeks, while individual bookings represented 88% of total volume. These figures suggest no major structural shift in how students book English language courses.
General English remains dominant as markets shift
General English continued to dominate enrolments, accounting for 89% of junior and 88% of adult student weeks.
Outside this core course type, Business English recorded year‑on‑year growth driven mainly by Japan, and EAP volumes stabilised following earlier declines.
At the same time, market concentration increased slightly, with the top ten source countries accounting for 72% of total student weeks. Saudi Arabia remained the largest source market despite declining volumes, while China and Oman entered the top ten, highlighting ongoing volatility across key regions.
Looking ahead
While overall demand remains subdued, Q4 2025 data suggests growing stability in booking behaviour and early signs of recovery in the junior market - factors that may shape the sector's outlook as providers look ahead to 2026.
Some topline Q4 insights
