The beginning of a new year is the ideal time to assess the efficiency of your current recruitment approach and how it can be refined to attract more students for the upcoming cycle.
As some of the top destination countries go through political turmoil and implement significant regulation changes, the future of international education becomes unclear. To gain students’ trust in these uncertain times, universities must be ready to assuage their new concerns and address their doubts.
Continue reading to learn what tactics are more likely to recruit more international students and how they can be implemented into your 2025 strategy.
Building on pre-existing tactics
A new year doesn’t mean a complete overhaul of your current recruitment plan. Professional outcomes and well-being remain among the top priorities for international students, so promoting your existing career services and internship opportunities, as well as student support and inclusivity efforts, are still key in attracting applicants.
Ensuring that your website is multilingual and comprehensive can help you stand out: in Keystone’s latest State of Student Recruitment report, 63% of students cited unclear instructions and missing information as some of the biggest barriers to applying.
Applicants may need extra assistance navigating visa applications if your country has recently established restrictions on international student enrollment (as seen in Canada and Australia). Make sure your prospective students are well-informed about current regulations and provide them with immigration support if needed.
Here are more ways to enhance your international student recruitment strategy for 2025…
Host in-person and online events
Recruitment events are an excellent chance to acquaint prospective students with your school. During in-person events, such as college fairs, open houses, and international school visits, the students can interact directly with the community and faculty and build relationships with the campus.
Online events, like webinars and virtual tours, have a larger reach and are an accessible alternative for students who cannot travel. Analyze which countries show the most interest in your institution and organize information sessions according to their specific regions and time zones.
Whether in-person or online, give prospective students the chance to chat one-on-one with current students, faculty, or staff members and ask any questions they may have about the school. Direct contact with someone who can speak to their own experience on your campus improves their trust in your institution and will help them feel more comfortable in their decision.
Use new platforms to reach a bigger audience
Your prospective students spend an average of five hours every day on social media. Establishing your brand on teens’ favorite platforms is indispensable in getting their attention.
Short-form video platforms like TikTok and Instagram are ideal for sharing user-generated content. Student ambassadors can use a more informal approach to share firsthand experiences with campus life, academic programs, and cultural activities, welcoming viewer engagement.
Facilitating conversations between current and prospective students is a must. According to QS, “49% of students looking to study in the UK said the ability to ask questions of existing international students was useful when making study decisions.” During the research stage, these students often turn to online communities and forums to find their peers.
Although discussion forums like Reddit, Quora, and The Student Room remain largely overlooked when creating a social media strategy, they can make you stand out if you take them seriously. These communities allow you to know what prospective students are asking about your school and provide real value when addressing their concerns in depth.
Establish partnerships with institutions abroad
Collaborating with universities abroad helps make more international students familiar with your school. Such partnerships can happen through exchange programs, dual-degree offerings, or joint research initiatives. Beyond strengthening your global reputation, these relationships also provide students and faculty more opportunities to collaborate with reputable scholars worldwide.
Admissions staff and current students can act as recruitment agents by offering virtual workshops or visiting schools abroad to speak to prospective students about your institution’s course offerings and answer their questions, breaking the invisible barrier that prevents many students from considering the possibility of studying abroad.
High schools, third-party education agencies, and government organizations abroad can be powerful partners in promoting specific programs and selecting the most appropriate students for application. Offering direct admission to students who meet your institution’s academic standards can also enhance your international enrollment.
Offer competitive financial aid
Finance is still the biggest obstacle to studying abroad. As housing and travel costs continue to rise and add to tuition expenses, international applicants tend to favor schools with the most comprehensive financial aid programs.
Most universities offer merit and need-based scholarships, work-study programs, and research grants as the most common forms of financial aid. If your institution isn’t able to provide comprehensive scholarships to a large cohort of students, consider leveraging your alumni network and creating new initiatives with private and public organizations to develop new financial aid opportunities.
Regardless of how much your school can offer, advertising existing opportunities is key in drawing students’ eyes to your school. Ensure your website contains a page detailing all forms of financial aid available, with clear instructions on applying and a thorough explanation of the eligibility criteria.
Think beyond enrollment
Attracting and enrolling international students is only the start of the journey. A thorough recruitment strategy includes supporting current students and assisting their transition into a stable career.
Every graduate who achieves success becomes a champion of what your campus has to offer.
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