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 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
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…
Improving language supports could increase stay rate of international students in Germany
A 2021 Expatrio/DEGIS survey of nearly 2,000 international students who chose to study in Germany during the pandemic found that (1) most were drawn by the country’s no-tuition-fees policy and (2) more than half intended to stay in the country after their studies. That said, language barriers are a concern for many international students inContinue reading…
Upcoming events
To find out more about our upcoming events for international education professionals from around the world, click on the links below.
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
