300
Global economic impact (billion)
5.5
Annual growth rate (%)
5.6
International students (million)
Who is ICEF
ICEF is the global market leader in business-to-business networking events and services for the international education sector. For over 25 years, we have been connecting education institutions and carefully chosen student recruitment agents with destination marketing organisations to create new partnerships and resources for international student recruitment.
Our unrivalled global programme of online and in-person networking events offers destination marketing organisations an efficient and cost-effective platform to introduce their brand and access new clients in growing markets.
Access customers at their most receptive with ICEF
International students represent a unique opportunity for Destination Marketing Organisations: They are active economic contributors to their place of study and base their decision on where to go, not just on their vocation/career plans, intended qualification and choice of education institution, but also on the appeal of a city, region or country.
As international students stay longer and spend more than the average tourist while also encouraging visits from friends and family, securing the attention of this group has a number of significant advantages. With their contribution to your location’s soft power, adding to its regeneration and development, attracting students can kickstart change. Last but not least, these students can become your lifelong ambassadors after graduating.
Each year, millions of students from around the world choose to pursue their studies in higher education abroad. Popular study destinations such as the US, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany and Australia are well known for attracting large numbers of inbound students, while up-and-coming destinations like the UAE, Singapore, Malaysia and Argentina have also been experiencing growing numbers of international students from their respective regions.
Historically, most international students come from Latin America, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
How our network can help you
The majority of international students around the world find their final education institution and programme of study through international student recruitment agencies based in their home countries. These study abroad agencies are specialist recruiters who know the application and immigration process for their key markets, giving expert advice and guidance to would-be students. Education agencies are therefore critical in introducing new study destinations, identifying the right programmes abroad, and assisting students with advice.
Student recruitment agencies, as well as the education institutions abroad, are ideally positioned to partner with your organisation. They can build awareness of your city or region as a study destination – and you can meet them at ICEF networking events. With access to information in many of these outbound student countries sometimes being difficult, a recommendation from an agent to a student is often a key factor in their decision as to where to study.
Webinars for Destination Marketing Organisations
Study Destination Marketing:Promote your city or region as a study destination
September 2020 • The promotion of cities as study destinations
Market intelligence for Destination Marketing Organisations
ICEF Monitor is the leading source of market intelligence for the international study abroad sector. Browse the latest articles relevant to destination marketing below:
Sustainability factors in the study abroad research for nearly half of prospective students
The 2023 edition of the QS International Student Survey has just been released and one of the interesting findings this year is that sustainability is becoming a bigger factor in student research for study abroad, and, by extension, in student choice as well. This year’s findings draw on responses from nearly 120,000 students and theyContinue reading…
Five student research insights to keep in mind going into 2024
Every so often, it’s helpful to look up from a current international student recruitment strategy and evaluate whether it needs tweaking. An important resource in this regard is current research on the motivations, barriers, concerns, and priorities of prospective and current students across the world. Today, we’re surfacing a few key statistics from three majorContinue reading…
Climate action barometer offers a new benchmarking tool for international education’s response to climate change
The International Education Sustainability Group (IESG) is a social enterprise focused on tools and insights that can help international educators “understand and mitigate [their] climate impact.” The group announced a new benchmarking tool this week designed to do just that with the launch of the Climate Action Barometer for international education™. The CABie relies onContinue reading…
London tops global student cities ranking for fifth consecutive year
The 11th edition of the QS Best Student Cities ranking has just been released and it again puts London at the top of the table of 160 destination cities around the world. To be ranked, a city must have a minimum population of 250,000 and be home to at least two universities in the QSContinue reading…
Survey: More students are beginning research for study abroad within six months before applying
A large global survey of 23,800 prospective international students representing 195+ countries reveals that students are once again evolving in the way they approach decisions about study abroad. Two major highlights from the Keystone Education Group’s 2023 State of Student Recruitment Report conducted from January–April 2023 are: The survey findings also underline that students are intenselyContinue reading…
UNWTO data shows that international tourism arrivals are approaching pre-pandemic levels
Trends in the international tourism industry often bear strong resemblances with those in the international education industry, and 2023 is no exception. The second UNWTO World Tourism Barometer report of the year shows that tourists are releasing pent-up demand for travel by visiting destinations near and far. In the first quarter of 2023, international arrivalsContinue reading…
Environmental sustainability as a competitive advantage in international student recruitment
Institutions with sophisticated student recruitment strategies know that market segmentation is an important element of ensuring programmes are presented to the students most likely to be interested in them. Investopedia explains: “Market segmentation is a marketing term that refers to aggregating prospective buyer into groups with common needs who respond similarly to a marketing action.Continue reading…
New forecast warns that US is falling behind in the global race for talent
A new HolonIQ analysis focused on the US and its competitive position relative to other leading study abroad destinations finds that: These conclusions arise from preliminary findings from a special US focus that is part of Holon’s Global Student Flows Project, launched in 2018 to chart and forecast the flow of international students studying inContinue reading…
The cost of living: A closer look at inflation and foreign exchange trends in key student markets
Demand for study abroad is high in 2023, and several countries are enrolling record numbers of international students (e.g., Canada, UK, Germany, France). Nonetheless, this growth trajectory is being challenged by the financial pressures affecting many families in emerging markets. Today, we identify countries in which students may be challenged to follow through on studyContinue reading…
Global survey shows rising costs of living are significantly affecting international student mobility
International student mobility continues to gather steam after the pandemic, but another threat has emerged this year. A global survey of 21,000 students in 108 countries conducted by IDP reveals that escalating costs of living in 2023 pose a major issue for students hoping to study abroad. As students’ families struggle to make ends meet,Continue reading…
Upcoming events
To find out how ICEF can help you access this rapidly growing market, please contact us or browse our upcoming events:
Testimonials
Engaging ICEF has greatly assisted Study NSW to develop a strong foundation for our international student alumni strategy.
Toshi Kawaguchi, Study NSW, Australia
Service Provider
I enjoy regional ICEF events. The agents are well vetted, and they come with well-researched questions. It shows good preparation. This was my second time attending ICEF Southeast Asia, and I highly recommend it.
Julia Salema , Study Insured by Ingle International, Canada
Service Provider
This event was absolutely incredible. We met many promising contacts, the
event was executed seamlessly - and it was fun! Can’t wait to see the business
opportunities that develop as a result of this.
Lauren Adams, Voxy, USA
Service Provider
