In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001, the United States tightened its visa restrictions. This heightened security led to a fall in the number of overseas graduates applying and being admitted to US colleges and universities. Indeed, a survey by the US Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) showed that between 2003 and 2004 there was a 28% decline in international applications, and a fall of 18% in the number of admission offers. Many feared that a loss of international talent — often seen as the lifeblood of US graduate programmes — would have an adverse effect on educational institutions and jobs.

Many of the visa delays have been addressed as the new procedures have become streamlined, and the number of overseas students applying has begun to rise. But did visa issues alone stymie applications from abroad? Or was interest already waning with international competition on the rise? Perhaps, these factors worked in tandem, with visa problems accelerating the leakage of talent.

The most recent numbers from the CGS, released on 27 August, hint at answers. Offers of admission to prospective international students by US graduate schools rose by 8% from 2006 to 2007 across all fields. This is the third consecutive year of growth — although it is down from last year's 12% increase. Applications in the life sciences increased 18% and offers to applicants grew 11%; in the physical sciences applications grew 12%, offers 8%. To some extent, it seems, universities have recovered — visa restrictions did indeed hinder the flow of talent. But just as interesting was the CGS's documentation of joint and dual degree programmes between US and international universities — a sizeable 30% of graduate schools have them. Competition seems to be globalizing graduate education.

For now, the US graduate-education system continues to be a major draw. But the CGS results neglect to quantify the fact that international students are likely to head home after getting their degrees. After all, there's more international competition not only for prospective students, but also for master's and PhD graduates looking for jobs.