5.6
Student insurance market size (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 services such as insurance which enhance the international student experience.
Our unrivalled global programme of online and in-person networking events offers insurance providers an efficient and cost-effective platform to introduce your brand and access new clients in this exciting growing market.
Accessing the student travel market with ICEF
The international education segment represents a unique opportunity for insurance providers: For the majority of international students, insurance is not only relevant, but in most cases compulsory. Even when health insurance is not a condition of entry for a visa application, most education institutions will not enrol students who don’t have adequate insurance to cover their stay.
Each year, millions of students from around the world choose to pursue their studies in higher education abroad, with a total market size of 5.6 million as of 2018. 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 insurance.
These student recruitment agencies, as well as the education institutions abroad, are ideally positioned to introduce your insurance solution to the international students. They can be referrers, brokers or promotors of your insurance – 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 insurance providers
January 2021 • Global Student Mobility: millions of students in need of insurance solutions
Panellists
- Martijn van de Veen, Vice President, Business Development, ICEF
- Jesper Lykke, Independent Senior Consultant, Insurance Sector – International Student Mobility
Each year, millions of international students enrol at education institutions worldwide, whether that be with language schools, higher education institutions, or anything in between. For these students, insurance is extremely importantand often compulsory to gain a student visa. The COVID-19 reality has further emphasised the need and importance of proper health insurance for international students.
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 insurance companies as they reach into this segment.
December 2020 • International student health care after the pandemic
Panellists
- Martijn van de Veen, Vice President, Business Development, ICEF
- Laurent Pochat-Cottilloux, Global Head of Health Reinsurance Partnerships, AXA
- Jodi Thomas, Head of Strategy and Implementation – Global Students, Allianz Partners
- Philippe Guibert, Regional Medical Director, Europe Health Consulting Practice, International SOS
As the metaphorical light at the end of the Covid-tunnel is starting to appear, the international education industry is eagerly preparing for borders to reopen again. In a post-pandemic world in which healthcare concerns are paramount, student health care, safety and health insurance will be more relevant than ever before for study abroad.
Educational institutions, student recruitment agencies, international students’ families and of course the students themselves will be looking for the right services and solutions to guarantee their wellbeing and ensure they are protected and cared for in case anything happens during their stay abroad. In this webinar we’ll be discussing how the insurance industry is preparing for the new normal with input from 3 senior sector representatives. We’ll also be encouraging our audience to take part with a series of interactive polls.
Market intelligence for insurance providers
ICEF Podcast: Bridging the skills gap: Preparing international students for their future careers
In this episode, ICEF’s Craig Riggs and Martijn van de Veen discuss the latest developments in our sector, including the surging demand for vocational training in emerging economies and new AI tools that aim to ease the housing search for international students. The episode features a special discussion on the skills that international students needContinue reading…
How can educators better support and protect LGBTQ+ international students?
June is Pride Month in many parts of the world and in some ways the month-long celebration and reflection means more than ever in 2023. Along with women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights are increasingly under pressure in many countries. Consensual sex between same-sex partners is even punishable by death in certain places – Uganda being theContinue 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…
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…
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
