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New report reveals mobile students gain higher grades, better jobs and greater earnings
A new report published by Universities UK International (UUKi) reveals that students who participate in international mobility programmes are more likely to achieve first-class degrees, secure professional-level jobs, and earn higher graduate salaries than their non-mobile peers.
The report, Gone international: a new generation, analyses Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) data from five graduating cohorts from 2017–18 to 2021–22. It provides evidence of the positive impact of mobility experiences – studying, working or volunteering abroad – on UK student and graduate outcomes, particularly for those from underrepresented and less advantaged backgrounds.
The research has been developed by UUKi with support from Northern Consortium, who funded the project, and Jisc, who contributed data, insights and analysis.
Key findings across the five cohorts studied include:
- Higher academic attainment: mobile students were awarded first-class degrees at a five-year average rate of 39.0%, compared to 30.9% for non-mobile students. In the 2021–22 cohort, this gap grew to 43.1% for mobile students vs 31.1% for students who were non-mobile.
- Stronger employment outcomes: 75.9% of mobile students had entered professional-level employment as graduates, compared to 72.0% of non-mobile students.
- Higher salaries: average graduate salaries were 1.6% higher for mobile students compared to non-mobile students (£26,932 vs £26,501). This rose to a difference of 2.2% in the 2021–22 cohort (£29,745 mobile vs £29,112 non-mobile).
These benefits were even more pronounced for students from several less advantaged and underrepresented backgrounds. For example:
- Care leavers with mobility experience were awarded first-class degrees at significantly higher rates (34.0% vs 21.4%) and were more likely to be in professional-level employment as graduates (69.2% vs 65.8%).
- Disabled students who went abroad were more likely to be awarded a first-class degree (37.6% vs 29.5%), gain professional-level employment (73.0% vs 69.9%), and earn higher graduate salaries (£26,584 vs £26,101).
- Mature students who were mobile earned over £1,700 more annually than their non-mobile counterparts, as a five-year average across the cohorts studied (£28,987 vs £27,257).
However, the report also paints a picture of declining student mobility, with participation rates falling in recent years. In the 2018–19 graduating cohort, 28,070 students participated in a mobility experience, representing 8.8% of the cohort.
By 2021–22, this had fallen to a mobility rate of 3.5%, with 10,960 students going mobile among the graduating class. This drop is attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic, post-Brexit visa and immigration rules, and changes in external funding.
Despite this downturn, encouraging progress is noted in widening access to mobility. The share of mobilities undertaken by disabled students, students from low-participation neighbourhoods, and Black, Asian and mixed ethnic backgrounds, has increased. However, disparities remain among some other underrepresented groups, and the report recommends widening participation to be a continued focus as the UK seeks to rebuild mobility activity.
Alongside this, UUKi calls for outward student mobility to be a central feature of a refreshed International Education Strategy, recognising its value to UK students, institutions and local communities. Long-term funding commitments – including multi-year programme cycles and for short-term mobilities – are also recommended, as well as improvements in data collection, reporting, and regular evaluation.
Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, said:
These findings suggest that international mobility is more relevant than ever. In providing a new generation of students with the skills needed for a globalised workforce, mobility fosters new ways of thinking, helps build personal and professional networks, and enhances employability. This is why every effort must be made to rebuild and grow mobility participation within the new policy and funding landscape. We are deeply grateful to Northern Consortium and Jisc, whose contributions have been instrumental in making this study a reality.
Jamie Arrowsmith
Director, Universities UK International
Dr Malcolm Butler, Chair of Northern Consortium, commented:
Northern Consortium are delighted to support UUKi in funding this important report. The work builds very satisfyingly upon the UUKi report Short-term mobility, long-term impact, published in 2021, and helps us to better quantify the positive academic and career benefits for students who participate in international mobility programmes. The report clearly illustrates that the benefits are diverse and that they are achieved over distinct periods, which reinforces the need for longer term monitoring. We are pleased to see that despite the overall decline in student mobility, widening access has managed to increase and we applaud all of the many institutions who have worked to ensure that widening participation is progressed. We hope that this report provides direct evidence to further encourage policy makers, funders and those delivering mobility programmes to grow the opportunities for students.
Dr Malcolm Butler
Chair, Northern Consortium
Heidi Fraser-Krauss, CEO of Jisc, said:
The Gone international report provides a fascinating insight into the impacts of student mobility for both individuals and the wider economy. The report proves the value of high-quality data collection undertaken by Jisc's HESA and Graduate Outcomes teams and benefits from the collaboration of Jisc data analysts. Reports like this one are an enormous asset to policymakers and researchers in the education sector and beyond.
Heidi Fraser-Krauss
CEO, Jisc
About Universities UK International:
Universities UK International (UUKi) represents UK higher education institutions (HEIs) globally and helps them flourish internationally. To do this we actively promote UK HEIs abroad, provide trusted information for and about them, and create new opportunities through our unique ability to act at sector level. We draw on UK university expertise to influence policy in the UK and overseas, delivering information, advice and guidance to facilitate mutually beneficial collaboration between UK HEIs and a broad range of international partners.
About Jisc:
Jisc’s vision is for the UK to be a world leader in technology for education and research. It owns and operates the super-fast national research and education network, Janet, with built-in cyber security protection. Jisc also provides technology solutions for members (colleges, universities and research centres) and customers (public sector bodies, charities, independent education and academy trusts), helps save time and money by negotiating sector-wide deals and provides advice and practical assistance on digital technology. Jisc is funded by the UK higher and further education and research funding bodies and member institutions.
About Northern Consortium:
Northern Consortium was founded by an alliance of UK Universities from across the north of England who share a common belief in the long-term benefits of international education, and a commitment to widening participation.
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