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 providers of financial services which enhance the international student experience.
Our unrivalled global programme of online and in-person networking events offers financial services providers an efficient and cost-effective platform to introduce your brand and access new clients in this exciting growing market.
Access customers at their most receptive with ICEF
The international education segment represents a unique opportunity for financial service providers: When studying abroad, students look to set up financial arrangements in their host country and frequently send money back and forth to their home nations, providing a receptive market to innovative solutions which make their lives easier. Many of these individuals go on to remain in foreign countries after their period of study, meaning that accessing them during this period is a cost-effective way of securing an enduring customer relationship.
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 South Asia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Northern Africa and Latin America.
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 agencies are specialist recruiters who know the application and immigration process for their key markets, giving expert advice and guidance to would-be students. These agencies are therefore critical in matching students with the right programmes abroad, assisting them with advice, and introducing relevant products and services – including financial services.
These student recruitment agencies, as well as the education institutions abroad, are ideally positioned to introduce your solutions to international students. They can be referrers, brokers or promoters of your financial services – and you can meet these agencies and institutions 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 purchase driver.
Webinars for FINANCIAL SERVICE PROVIDERS
March 2021 • Financial Service Providers: millions of students in need of financial services
Panellists
Martijn van de Veen, Vice President, Business Development, ICEF
Anna Zanghi, Sr. Strategist & Adviser, Former MasterCard Head of Global Youth Segment
Each year, millions of international students enrol at education institutions worldwide, whether that be with language schools, higher education institutions, or anything in between. When studying abroad, international students often look to set up financial arrangements in their host country and frequently send money back and forth to their home nations, providing a receptive market to innovative solutions which make their lives easier. Many of these individuals go on to remain in foreign countries after their period of study, meaning that accessing them during this period is a cost-effective way of securing an enduring customer relationship.
In this 30 minute webinar, we explain the international student mobility sector in more detail for those interested in accessing this growing segment, and explore the opportunities that exist for financial services companies as they reach into this segment.
December 2020 • Financial solutions for international students
Panellists
Martijn van de Veen, Vice President, Business Development, ICEF
Amit Singh, Founder & CEO, UniCreds
Tony Chen, Head of International Education Proposition, HSBC
Adam Cross, Director of Marketing, Future Finance
Covid-19 has affected international education on so many levels. From changes in student ‘corridors’ to the introduction of hybrid programmes, and from the rise of so-called microcredentials to a whole array of new EdTech solutions: international education is entering a new era. But what about international student financing and financial services? Many students’ families, and the students themselves, are affected financially by Covid-19. How are the providers of financial services and student loans responding to these new challenges? How can they support international students and how will their services be different?
Market intelligence for financial services providers
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…
Reimagining career services for international students
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. Above all, international students expect their degree to lead them to a desirable job when they graduate. But research shows that mostContinue reading…
ICEF Podcast: The growing importance of career opportunities for international Students
In this episode of our continuing podcast series, ICEF’s Craig Riggs (editor of ICEF Monitor) and Martijn van de Veen (vice-president of business development) discuss the latest developments in our sector, with a focus on current visa processing trends in the US and UK. They are joined by Nannette Ripmeester, i-graduate’s Director of Client RelationsContinue reading…
Do international students face additional barriers in accessing mental health supports?
High levels of stress among international students attest to the continuing impact of the pandemic on a generation of students whose studies have been disrupted in some way over the past three years. In part two of our coverage of i-graduate’s 2022 International Student Barometer (ISB), we look at the results highlighting which student groupsContinue reading…
Survey says career transition services are a major competitive advantage for educators
Results from i-graduate’s 2022 International Student Barometer suggest that institutions that prioritise students’ career goals are more likely to be perceived as delivering value for money. In addition, the study found another strong correlation: students are more likely to recommend an institution when they believe it has prepared them for a good job. This year’sContinue reading…
Agents indicate significant international student interest in working while studying
At ICEF Monitor, we regularly report on research about agents’ perceptions of demand for study abroad and the factors influencing prospective international students’ choice of destination, institution, and programme. In addition, we speak regularly with agents across the world. This gives us an ongoing and up-to-the-minute understanding of the top motivations and concerns of students consideringContinue reading…
Data shows that machine learning can boost international admissions conversions
“Technology is not the be-all-end-all,” says Ashish Fernando, the CEO of iSchoolConnect. “Technology is not the answer to all questions, and artificial intelligence is not something that can work autonomously.” That may seem like a strange thing for a technologist to say, not to mention the CEO of a technology company. But it reflects aContinue reading…
Mapping labour market skills gaps in leading study destinations
Ever more, leading destinations for international students are tying their immigration strategies to skills gaps in their economies, as well as their allowances for students working while studying or post-graduation (see Australia and Canada for recent examples). Given that many students are interested in programmes with strong post-graduation career outcomes, we’ve devoted this article toContinue reading…
New research explores student and parent perspectives on study abroad
The pandemic has affected families, and students, in entirely different ways. Some have become financially worse off, while others have become wealthier. Some have become more safety-conscious, and some – yearning to leave behind what some have termed the “lost years” of COVID – have become less so, finding themselves even more adventurous than theyContinue reading…
Most international students in the US want to stay after graduation but worry about getting a job
How are international students feeling about studying in the US? A survey-based research report for Interstride, “Is studying in the US worth it? International students on the “value” of their US education experience,” written by Anna Esaki-Smith, the co-founder of Education Rethink, explores the question in the context of a global landscape in which studentsContinue reading…
Upcoming events
To find out more about our upcoming events for international education professionals from around the world, click on the links below.
ICEF Africa
June 12 - 14, 2023
Cape Town, South Africa
HYBRID
ICEF Africa returns in 2023 as a hybrid networking event focused on the needs of international education institutions, and relevant service providers, interested in recruiting students from this dynamic and vibrant continent.
ICEF Asia 2023 is an exciting and greatly anticipated event providing a first-rate networking environment for professionals with an interest in over 20 outbound student countries in Asia, including Vietnam, South Korea, China and India.
Hosted over three days, this hybrid event welcomes participants in-person, at the InterContinental Saigon Hotel, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and online.
As the largest industry networking event in the region, ICEF Latin America brings together hundreds of high-quality, ICEF-screened agents, decision makers from education institutions and companies providing industry services, in one place. This popular event enables you to forge professional and personal connections to support your engagement strategy in the region.
ICEF Accommodation is the world’s first-ever agent networking event where providers of student accommodation and related services meet with international student recruitment professionals.
ICEF Higher Education is a long-standing, popular networking event specifically designed to bring together educators and pre-screened student recruitment agents, all focused on recruiting students to the international higher education sector.
ICEF China, hosted in the vibrant city of Beijing at the Grand Millennium hotel, is taking place between the 16 - 18 October, 2023. Bringing together those from the international education industry focused on supporting students from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
A one-day networking conference that informs and updates senior international education professionals on the latest technologies and digital tools available to them. ICEF Digital is a perfect fit in the international education calendar, scheduled two days prior to the sector’s largest networking event, ICEF Berlin, and taking place in the same venue.
Considered the pinnacle of the annual networking calendar, our flagship event ICEF Berlin returns for its 28th edition this year, bringing together thousands of colleagues, peers, partners, and friends from across the global education industry.
New for 2023 - ICEF Virtual Nigeria is an online networking event dedicated to helping international educators meet reliable new student recruitment agents from this major African market.
ICEF Miami returns in 2023, bringing pre-screened student recruitment agents from across the world to the US, to connect with educators from across the Americas. Also attended by service providers and Cultural Exchange, and Work & Travel programme providers, ICEF Miami is a key networking event in the international education calendar for the region.
ICEF Student Recruitment for Online Programmes is a virtual B2B networking event connecting providers of online education with pre-screened student recruitment agents who are experienced in promoting online and hybrid programmes across all study types, levels and durations.
ICEF South Asia provides a unique opportunity to connect with top quality, ICEF-screened student recruitment agents from across India and other South Asian countries including: Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. These agents are both valued business partners to educators and trusted advisors to thousands of students wishing to study abroad.
ICEF Dubai returns in 2024, from 14-16 February, enabling educators and service providers from around the world to meet with ICEF-screened agents specialising in student recruitment for the MENA region.
Running from February 27 – 29 February 2024, with one-day networking events in both Tokyo and Seoul, the roadshow is an efficient and cost-effective way to meet a large number of quality agents focused on two key locations.
Mexico and Columbia are major sending markets for international students and are continuing to grow. The ICEF Mexico-Columbia Roadshow provides an excellent, cost-effective opportunity for educators to meet, and leverage the expertise of ICEF-screened agents to recruit students from both of these important markets.
ICEF Eurasia gives international educators and service providers the opportunity to meet top-quality student recruitment agents from all over Central Europe, Turkey, and the Caucasus at one focused event, enabling them to effectively intensify their marketing & recruitment efforts in these important student markets.
The 17th annual ICEF Australia New Zealand Agent event (ANZA) gives education providers from Australia and New Zealand the opportunity to meet with top international student recruitment agents from around the world who have a focus on these key study destinations.
Following the hugely successful 2023 event, which saw just over 200 student recruitment professionals gather in Sevilla, ICEF Spanish Education now turns to Madrid for its third edition, providing a unique opportunity for education providers in Spanish speaking countries to network with ICEF-screened, quality student recruitment agents from around the world.
ICEF Virtual Iran is a new online networking event dedicated to fostering relationships between Iran’s best education agents and international institutions looking to recruit students from this important country.
The event offers the perfect platform for educators to forge new connections with reliable and respected agents, all of whom have been carefully selected according to ICEF’s rigorous criteria.
ICEF Secondary Education returns for its 5th edition in 2024, as an in-person event. Focused on recruiting international students for secondary, boarding, high school, foundation, and junior education programmes, this specialist event opens up the potential for overseas study for young students from nearly 60 countries.
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.
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