Significant trends in international student recruitment for institutions to consider

Here are a few of the top trends to improve international student recruitment for higher education institutions to consider:

Implementing greater opportunities for online learning

As a result of COVID-19, online learning has experienced significant growth in recent years — leading to a rapid shift in how education is delivered. This has not only opened up a new market of possible students for institutions and education providers, but also created valuable opportunities for aspiring international students that might not be able to afford the experience otherwise.

Introducing micro-credentialing

Offering micro-credentials has also helped foster successful results for institutions trying to recruit international students. These learners are increasingly in search of flexibility, affordability, micro-credentials and shorter programs that provide an entire pathway to a career — which can require small steps at a time.

Utilising valuable data and analytics

Institutions are increasingly leveraging robust data and analytics to enhance their recruitment strategies. This typically involves utilising platforms that offer comprehensive data to help universities make more intelligent decisions surrounding international programs and markets to target — as well as what approaches will be most effective. Introducing systems that offer data and analytics will prove integral moving forward, as three leading universities released a joint statement claiming analytics can “save higher education.”

Instituting verified digital credentials

Digital credentials, or tamper-proof credentials online that can be verified cryptographically, represent an essential trend in international student recruitment. These credentials not only benefit all learners by allowing them to securely share their academic and official documents with third parties, but they might be even more of a boon to international learners. Introducing digital credentials in your institution can help international students in situations such as earning course credit at other institutions or ensuring their foreign degree can be acknowledged at alternative universities.

The benefits of improved institutional recruitment

Implementing top trends for international student recruitment is a powerful way to elevate your international enrolment, but you might be wondering why your organisation should put in the time and effort. Overall, international students are an incredible boon to higher education institutions, providing benefits such as:

• Increasing their revenue: International education is a key factor in generating revenue — from purchasing online courses to spending money on and off-campus — emphasising the need for universities to take advantage of this opportunity.

• Fostering a diverse campus environment: As higher education institutions improve their international student recruitment, they’re creating a diverse environment for learners. This offers students authentic opportunities to explore different cultures, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives throughout their own educational journey.

• Improving their reputation: Both an increase in revenue and impressive academic growth are likely to improve your organisation’s reputation — leading to a greater chance of recruiting the brightest students no matter where they’re located.

Leveraging top trends in international student recruitment with Digitary

If your organisation is ready to introduce strategies to recruit students far and wide, Digitary can help. Digitary aims to support students on their life-long learning journeys — and international students are no exception.

With the Digitary CORE platform, your institution can leverage credentialing solutions to elevate the learning experience for both future and current international students. Learn more about how Digitary CORE solutions in the education sector can improve your international student recruitment or contact us to get started.