Welcome to ICEF
We are the global market leaders in business-to-business networking events and services for the international education sector.
Through our unrivalled global programme of online and in-person networking events, support for education agents and market intelligence services, we facilitate outstanding international student experiences.
About us
For over 30 years, we have been bringing together education institutions, carefully chosen student recruitment agents and providers of other services for the international education industry with the simple aim of improving international student mobility.
Why work with ICEF?
In a world with tightening budgets, higher education institutions are coming under growing pressure to get the most out of their marketing budgets as they seek to meet ambitious student recruitment targets. Why then do so many universities and colleges put ICEF at the core of their student recruitment strategies? Learn more here.
Upcoming Events
To find out more about our upcoming events for international education professionals from around the world, click on the links below.
ICEF Virtual Asia
June 22 - 24, 2021
ONLINE
ORIGIN EVENT
ICEF Virtual Asia is an exciting new online event designed specifically to meet the needs of international education professionals with a focus on Asia.
Bringing together education agencies from all over Asia, we are proud that this event provides the region’s best networking community for professionals with an interest in over 20 Asian student origin countries including Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, China, and India.
Register for the event
ICEF Virtual Higher Education
September 14 - 16, 2021
ONLINE
GLOBAL EVENT
ICEF Virtual Higher Education is a dedicated online networking event specifically designed to meet the networking needs of the international higher education sector.
In 2021, this conference returns for its 14th edition to connect international tertiary education institutions, selected higher education-focused agents, and relevant service providers. Over 3 days, event attendees will network virtually, and learn more about emerging trends within the sector.
Register for the event
ICEF Virtual Latin America
September 28 - 30, 2021
ONLINE
ORIGIN EVENT
ICEF Latin America returns virtually in 2021 as a networking event dedicated to helping global education providers to easily and cost-effectively identify reliable new student recruitment partners and refresh existing relationships with education agents from this part of the world.
This 3 day online event is designed to enhance opportunities for international study as students increasingly look to travel to and within this region.
Register for the event
ICEF Virtual China
October 13 - 15, 2021
ONLINE
ORIGIN EVENT
ICEF Virtual China is an exciting new online networking event dedicated to helping education institutions around the world identify reliable new student recruitment partners as well as refresh existing relationships with agents in China.
Featuring high-quality, ICEF-screened education agents from 24 Chinese cities and provinces, the event brings 3 days of dedicated focus.
Register for the event
ICEF Berlin
October 31 - November 02, 2021
Berlin, Germany
GLOBAL EVENT
ICEF Berlin gives you the international education industry’s largest networking event, and the world’s most comprehensive way to keep up with the latest developments in the international education sector.
Attendees can hold up to 40 one-to-one business meetings with other conference attendees over the course of the event and attend a range of insightful seminars, covering issues affecting the world of international education.
Register for the event
ICEF Miami
December 06 - 08, 2021
Miami, USA
DESTINATION EVENT
ICEF Miami is an ideal opportunity for education institutions from the Americas to benefit from a large number of top quality student recruitment agents committed to building lasting partnerships and sending students to the region.
This packed event allows participants to schedule up to 38 one-to-one business meetings, and enjoy various market intelligence seminars and industry presentations.
Register for the event
ICEF ANZA
March 09 - 11, 2022
Adelaide, Australia
DESTINATION EVENT
The 15th annual ICEF Australia New Zealand (ANZA) gives you the opportunity to meet the top international student recruitment agents from around the world who have a focus on Australia and New Zealand, as well as leading educators and service providers from this exciting and vibrant study destination.
Register for the event
ICEF Ukraine Focus
March 21 - 22, 2022
Kiev, Ukraine
ORIGIN EVENT
ICEF Ukraine Focus gives international educators and service providers the opportunity to meet top-quality student recruitment agents from Ukraine at one focused event. It gives participants a chance to effectively target their marketing efforts in Ukraine, as well as in Russia and Eastern Europe all in one trip.
Register for the event
ICEF Central Asia Focus
March 31 - April 01, 2022
Almaty, Kazakhstan
ORIGIN EVENT
ICEF Central Asia Focus gives international educators and service providers the opportunity to meet top-quality student recruitment agents from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Mongolia and Northern China at one focused event.
In 2022, ICEF Central Asia will be a hybrid event held in Almaty, Kazakhstan, as well as welcoming participants simultaneously online.
Register for the event
ICEF Toronto
May 13 - 15, 2022
Toronto, Canada
DESTINATION EVENT
ICEF returns to Toronto in 2022 to give education providers from across the Americas the world’s best opportunity to meet student recruitment agents from around the world actively looking to send students to this leading study destination. Attended by the world’s best education agents focused on the Americas and organised by the industry leader in educator-agent networking events, ICEF Toronto is the must-attend international education networking event in Canada.
Register for the event
ICEF French Education
May 17 - 18, 2022
Montréal, Canada
DESTINATION EVENT
ICEF French Education provides a targeted opportunity for education providers promoting programmes taught in French to meet top-quality, focused student recruitment agents from around the globe.
At this immersive hybrid event, educational institutions are able to meet with screened, focused student recruitment agents and service providers from around the world, both in-person and online.
Register for the eventMarket Intelligence
ICEF Monitor is the leading source of market intelligence for the international student recruitment industry. Read about the latest issues affecting the sector and learn about emerging trends with ICEF Monitor.
New analysis projects strong growth in global language learning with digital a key driver
New analysis from the global market intelligence platform HolonIQ projects a “U-shaped recovery” for offline and blended language learning through 2025. But the forecast also anticipates that direct-to-consumer digital language learning services will triple in growth over this same period. “Digital Language Learning is accelerating rapidly, increasing access, reducing cost, and leveraging technology to driveContinue reading…
New Zealand signals that border closures will remain in place into 2022
The New Zealand government has announced that borders will likely remain closed, for the most part, to international students in 2021, as it continues to pursue its COVID “Elimination Strategy.” It also makes no promises about 2022. In an open letter to the international education sector written 21 May, Education Minister Chris Hipkins says, “WhileContinue reading…
Canada’s language school enrolments down by 56% in 2020; “incremental recovery” anticipated this year
Canada’s language training centres hosted 56% fewer international students in 2020. Total student weeks were down by 49%, but the average length of stay increased by 16% to 11.7 weeks. The new data was presented virtually at the Languages Canada 2021 Annual Conference in May. Both English and French language sectors felt the impact ofContinue reading…
International enrolments in US ELT fell by 50% in 2020
International enrolment in Intensive English Programmes (IEPs) in the US fell by 50% in 2020 compared with 2019, and student weeks by 51%, according to the new data from the Institute of International Education (IIE) released as part of its annual Open Doors reporting. The data was collected via a survey conducted of 362 IEPsContinue reading…
UK: Recent-month study visa grants surpassing pre-pandemic levels
New data released by the British Home Office show that the number of visas issued to foreign students has surged over the past seven months. In fact, the total visas granted during that period from September 2020 through March 2021 has consistently exceeded the monthly totals for the same period before COVID struck. The HomeContinue reading…
Belgium: Non-EU graduates will soon be able to remain for one year to look for work
Belgium is in many ways one of the most international countries in the world. A founding member of EU, NATO, the eurozone, the World Trade Organisation, and the OECD, Belgium also hosts many multinational companies and organisations – including the European Commission – in its capital city, Brussels. But for all that, the country hasContinue reading…
New study highlights the expanding landscape of microcredentials
A recent report from Colleges & Institutes Canada (CICan) explores the growing provision of microcredentials, in Canada and elsewhere, and sets the stage for the establishment of a national framework for these alternate qualifications in Canada. Those terms – “microcredential”, “alternative qualification”, or even “short certificate” – are used interchangeably to some extent. The space is evolvingContinue reading…
International students’ frustration mounts as Chinese border remains closed
Thousands of international students who are enrolled in Chinese higher education institutions are currently unable to enter China due to the country’s 16-month-old COVID-related ban on international visitors. There are indications that the ban may not be fully lifted until 2022, and frustration is mounting. Students are worried about losing their investment in their degreesContinue reading…
Student accommodation executives expect a strong – if unpredictable – fall 2021
Student housing bookings are up for fall 2021, according to leading purpose-build student accommodation (PBSA) CEOs who participated in last week’s online Real Asset Media’s Student Housing in Post-Pandemic Times webinar. As well as shining light on demand for accommodation, the webinar also provided insight into how international students are approaching study abroad this year:Continue reading…
US boarding schools benefitting from the “bubble effect” for the coming school year
K-12 boarding schools in the US are projecting a relatively stable enrolment outlook for the 2021/22 school year, even as they look ahead to a more diverse foreign student base in the future. Speaking as part of a panel at the ICEF Virtual Americas event earlier this month, Michael Shaver, director of international programs forContinue reading…
Stand out with ICEF
ICEF Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality with ICEF empowers education and accommodation providers to tell uniquely engaging stories, access new audiences, and grow international student recruitment. Learn how to leverage this immersive technology to connect with students around the world and tell powerful stories about your institution.
Training for education agents
International student recruitment agencies play a vital role in international education, connecting education institutions with students around the world. We offer high-quality professional development to keep education agencies informed about immigration requirements, course entry standards, and student support expectations around the world.
