International student recruitment: Why aren't we second? Part 2

International student recruitment: Why aren't we second? Part 2 compares the UK and competing study destinations on their policies relating to international students. It analyses the factors that matter to students when deciding on their study destination. 

The research is based on quantitative data analyses of relevant HESA and UNESCO data, and interviews with prospective students, alumni and recruitment agents from eight countries:

• Brazil 
• India
• Indonesia
• Nigeria
• Pakistan
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea 
• Vietnam

The report provides recommendations for UK higher education institutions, the wider sector and the UK government on how we can best combine our efforts to support the UK’s recruitment endeavours and meet the International Education Strategy’s target of diversifying recruitment markets and increasing international student numbers in the UK to at least 600,000 by 2030. 

It makes specific recommendations to:

• Improve the promotion of the UK as a welcoming, diverse and accessible study destination.
• Ensure the success of the Graduate route.
• Reduce financial barriers for international students through the creation of more diverse
  and innovative funding opportunities.
• Support the improvement of English language ability.

You can read and download the report.

A webinar was held on 23 September to discuss the report findings. The webinar recording can be viewed by registering for UUKi's webinar series 'Enabling International Strategies'.