UK ELT market intelligence
We provide members with robust, data-led insight and research on the UK English language teaching (ELT) sector, supporting informed planning, benchmarking and business decision-making.
Our data combines sector-wide coverage with granular, member-only analysis, enabling centres to understand both overall market trends and their position within them.
Our market intelligence is delivered through:
English UK annual student statistics
Produced with our insight partner BONARD, the annual student statistics report provides a comprehensive, retrospective view of the UK ELT sector. It offers a complete sector-wide picture, capturing full-year performance across all English UK member centres.
Analysis covers:
- student numbers and student weeks
- differences between state and private sector performance
- regional and city-level trends
- developments in part-time and online provision
All English UK member centres submit data annually. The report is published each May.
While the annual report provides a complete year-end view, it does not offer the in-year tracking and benchmarking available through QUIC.
UK ELT in the global context
A supplementary report, UK ELT in the global context, is published later in the year (typically September), once comparable data from the eight major ELT destinations becomes available.
Latest reports
2026
2025
2024
Quarterly student statistics (QUIC)
The Quarterly Intelligence Cohort (QUIC) is our quarterly student statistics scheme providing timely, in-year insight into trends across the UK ELT sector. Participation is open to English UK members on an opt-in basis.
Data is collected each quarter, offering more frequent and granular insight than the annual report. Analysis includes: by sector, source market, age group, course type, and booking behaviour.
Whilst the annual report provides a retrospective overview, QUIC enables member centres to track seasonal performance and monitor change.
Two levels of outputs
Browse quarterly summaries below:
|
2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2024 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2022 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2021 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2020 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2019 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Back to the top
Thematic research, reports and surveys
Focused analysis on key sector issues.
UK ELT sector impact survey: war in the Middle East - from April 2026
Since April 2026, we have run monthly surveys to track the impact of the war in the Middle East on member centres. These findings highlight shared sentiment across the sector and emerging business impacts.
Examining the economics of the English language teaching industry report - published April 2025
A decade after our first serious attempt to quantify the value of the UK English language teaching (ELT) industry, we commissioned independent research agency Pragmatix Advisory to reassess its impact. The sector has changed significantly, and the report, launched in 2025, shows its value and the challenges it faces.
Report on accommodation in the UK ELT Sector - published July 2024
Compiled from responses from 91 English UK member centres, the report quantifies the sector's accommodation offer and the impact of shortages on the centres' ability to grow enrolments and match students' preferences. It also outlines the potential solutions identified by the respondents.
The online market for UK ELT - published March 2022
This report marks the industry's first attempt to document the UK's online ELT provision. We commissioned BONARD to undertake a supplementary survey of member centres that participated in QUIC in 2021. It distinguishes between pandemic-driven (emergency) delivery and standalone online products, which are not typically captured in the English UK's student statistic reports.
Back to the top
Source market reports and insights
English UK and the British Council collaborate on joint research initiatives to support student recruitment at accredited UK ELT institutions. These reports provide practical 'how-to' guidance for working in specific markets.
English language market report: Saudi Arabia - published Nov 2023:
Europe future outlook report - published June 2021:
English language market report: Japan - published July 2020:
English language market report: Thailand - published 2018:
