Q3 2023 statistics show 82% recovery for UK ELT compared to pre-pandemic levels
Q3 2023 statistics from our quarterly intelligence cohort (QUIC) suggest the UK ELT sector recovered to 82% of pre-pandemic business levels.
This is the third consecutive quarter to reach over 80% recovery compared to 2019.
Comparing the data with Q3 2022, our Q3 2023 data shows junior student weeks increased by 54% and adults by 40%.
Some trends and figures are available to everyone in the executive summary. The full QUIC report is confidential to the 125 English UK members in the cohort.
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Strong numbers from Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico
Some student source markets performed even better in Q3 2023 than they did in Q3 2019.
Countries including Turkey, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico showed strong demand and potential for further short-term growth.
Signs of recovery from China
The report also shows the first signs of serious recovery from China.
In terms of the greatest absolute growth, China was the top-growing source market (+16,414 student weeks compared to Q3 2022).
Groups from China were unable to travel to the UK until mid-August, so further recovery is expected in 2024.
Group bookings returned to pre-pandemic level
Junior group bookings reached pre-pandemic levels for the first time since the pandemic, based on student week figures.
There was a ratio of 60% single travellers to 40% group bookings, which mirrors Q3 2019.
What else QUIC reveals about Q3 2023
- Student week volume was 79% of pre-pandemic level for adults and 86% for juniors (comparing Q3 2023 with Q3 2019)
- 71% of student weeks came from the top ten source countries, led by Italy and followed by Saudi Arabia.
- Top five adults source markets: Saudi Arabia, China, Turkey, Italy, Brazil
- Top five junior source markets: Italy, Spain, China, Turkey, Brazil
"Recovery is only the first step"
Our chief executive Jodie Gray said:
"This is positive news – it shows UK sector recovery is continuing and we hope that trend continues in 2024. It is also promising that some markets are growing so strongly.
"However, it's not all good news. Some members have not yet recovered 80% of their pre-pandemic trade so there is still a way to go. Also, recovery is only the first step: what we are working for is growth for our sector."
About the QUIC data cohort
125 QUIC members advertised 220 teaching premise locations this year and all but 15 opened for summer teaching, 13% more than in the summer of 2022.
We're grateful to all our QUIC participants for committing their time and resources to submit quarterly data.
English UK members can join the QUIC cohort next year to access the full report and data set.
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