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:
Outbound mobility trends for five key sending markets in Asia
International student mobility is picking up steam, and a growing number of countries are contributing to the overall volume we are seeing in 2023. Today, we’re checking on trends in five top student markets in Asia: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, and Thailand. We use 2020 UNESCO data on tertiary outbound mobility as our baseline, thenContinue reading…
Are geopolitical shifts contributing to a more diverse foreign enrolment?
Global geopolitics have shifted dramatically over the past decade, but the shifts have never been so apparent as over the past 13 months. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has quickly united the West; cemented ties between Russia, China, and Iran; and convinced several other governments – notably India’s – that a careful neutrality is the wisestContinue reading…
Internationalisation agenda for universities remains focused on student recruitment
A survey of more than 100 international education leaders in Australia, Canada, and the UK, finds that internationalisation – and student recruitment in particular – remains a top priority. The study was conducted jointly by management consultancy Nous Group and Navitas. And those educational leaders, whose roles typically included “Deputy Vice Chancellor (International), Pro Vice Chancellor (International),Continue reading…
Many international students may not be aware of STEM programmes they could apply to
A new global study commissioned by IBM suggests that many students who might be interested in pursuing STEM degrees are not doing so because they lack knowledge about their options. The findings may be particularly interesting for relatively affordable universities and colleges, institutions located outside of major cities, and schools offering micro-credentials such as certificatesContinue reading…
A data-based case for diversification: Study finds that only 14 countries account for half of all international student enrolments
A new analysis from Studyportals draws on the platform’s own search data as well as mobility statistics from UNESCO and the OECD to map both historical and emerging patterns of international student demand. We should note that the usual cautions around UNESCO/OECD numbers apply here: those statistics are primarily concerned with higher education studies abroadContinue reading…
World body now projects that international travel will return to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, at least in some regions
The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is now projecting that international travel volumes will reach between 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year, with the strongest outlook for Europe and the Middle East. Actual results will of course rely on a number of factors, including recovery in Asia specifically and the war in Ukraine.Continue reading…
Measuring cost of study and cost of living across study destinations
Even before the pandemic, the affordability of different study abroad options was rising as a consideration for many prospective international students and their families. This reflects a growing emphasis on the return on investment of study abroad – especially in South Asia and Africa, where increasing numbers of students are considering travelling abroad for educationContinue reading…
Year in review: What we learned in 2022
Well, that felt a lot better, didn’t it? 2022 was not without its twists and turns, but many of us got a lot closer to normal during the year. Most, if not all, borders are now open again to students and travellers, and our industry took some very important steps along its path to recovery.Continue reading…
Surging Q3 travel numbers boosting overall global arrivals this year
The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reports that the recovery of global travel volumes has accelerated throughout 2022. An estimated total of 700 million tourists travelled internationally between January and September this year – a benchmark that more than doubles (+133%) the international arrivals for the same period in 2021. Those 700 million traveller also representContinue reading…
The push for diversification in foreign enrolment
The following feature is excerpted from the 2022 edition of ICEF Insights magazine and is reprinted here with permission. The entire issue of the magazine is available to download for free at icef.com/insights. The Australian Strategy for International Education (2020–2030) report succinctly articulates the issue facing educators everywhere: “The covid-19 pandemic demonstrated that dependence onContinue 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
