INTO Corporate Blog
Stay informed with our expert commentary on global higher education, recruitment strategy and sector trends.
Latest INTO blogs
AI in the advisory ecosystem: what agents are telling us
The way prospective students search for information about studying abroad is changing. Our latest Agent Survey gives us a clear view of how that shift is playing out across markets, and what it means for the role agents play in the recruitment journey.
What Diminishing Returns in Higher Education Mean for China, India and International Institutions
Over the past fifty years, higher education has expanded dramatically worldwide. According to UNESCO data, global tertiary participation has risen from below 10% in 1970 to above 40% today, with many countries now enrolling more than half of young adults.
A message from John Sykes, CEO, INTO University Partnerships
Twenty years ago, INTO was founded on a simple belief: that the best outcomes in international education come from partnerships built to last. Not transactional arrangements, but deeply, embedded partnerships, with universities and agents alike. That belief hasn't changed. And in a market that is changing fast, I think it matters more than ever.
Blog archive
2026 Articles
AI in the advisory ecosystem: what agents are telling us
The way prospective students search for information about studying abroad is changing. Our latest Agent Survey gives us a clear view of how that shift is playing out across markets, and what it means for the role agents play in the recruitment journey.
What Diminishing Returns in Higher Education Mean for China, India and International Institutions
Over the past fifty years, higher education has expanded dramatically worldwide. According to UNESCO data, global tertiary participation has risen from below 10% in 1970 to above 40% today, with many countries now enrolling more than half of young adults.
A message from John Sykes, CEO, INTO University Partnerships
Twenty years ago, INTO was founded on a simple belief: that the best outcomes in international education come from partnerships built to last. Not transactional arrangements, but deeply, embedded partnerships, with universities and agents alike. That belief hasn't changed. And in a market that is changing fast, I think it matters more than ever.
From Pathways to Possibility: What UWA College’s First Graduates Tell Us About the Future of Australian Higher Education
2025 Articles
The ChatGPT Generation: How AI Is Quietly Rewriting the Global Student Search
The challenge is not if AI will reshape the student journey, but how quickly. The data from this survey points to a strong directional shift, validating AI as the preferred functional research tool for a growing segment. The ultimate structure of the recruitment ecosystem, however, is not a fait accomplis; it hinges on the ability of human advisers and institutions to evolve beyond static information delivery and offer value—speed, nuance, and humanity—that AI cannot replicate.
Know Your Rivals: A Six-Point Guide to Competitive Positioning in Global Higher Education
In the global race for international students, knowing your market is not enough. You must know your competitors, too. While many universities still compare themselves to the usual suspects—by location or mission group—savvier institutions are digging deeper, using comparative intelligence to sharpen recruitment strategy.
Border Anxiety: Visa Gridlock and Cost Concerns Shaping Global Student Flows
Our March 2025 survey of 1,200 education agents, the largest in higher education, reveals two key themes dominating agent concerns.
Degrees of Value: How Post-Study Work Can Make or Break Return on Investment
Post-study work rights are no longer a perk—they are the cornerstone of international education’s financial logic. According to recent research from INTO, Chinese and Indian students can cut the time to recoup education costs by as much as six to eleven years if allowed to work after graduation. Without this window, a U.S. private degree may take decades to pay off, making it an implausible investment.
2024 Articles
Being there matters: Personal lessons from a week in Vietnam
As the higher education landscape in Vietnam evolves, opportunities for international partnerships expand alongside a growing demand for overseas study.
AIEC 2024: Australia’s Policy Pains: A Crisis or Catalyst for Opportunity?
INTO's SVP, New Partner Development, Tim O'Brien, shares insights on the biggest drivers of change in 2024 on the Australian international education landscape.
BUILA 2024: Six things to be certain about in an uncertain international student recruitment landscape
Peter Thompson, INTO's VP of Data Analytics, Market Research & Insights, provides an overview of market trends affecting global international student recruitment.
What are the best practices in sponsored student recruitment and support?
Luke Sikorski, INTO’s Director of Sponsor Partnerships & Engagement (US), shares his insights on the evolving dynamics of sponsored student recruitment.
2023 Articles
A glimpse into the future of international education – a view from a Land Down Under
Explore Australia's dynamic international education scene and its global impact, with key themes, trends, and policy developments shaping higher education.
Beware of large numbers. Is your market sizing being misled by published analysis?
With higher education providers planning recruitment strategies, it becomes imperative to identify current and future demand to determine target markets.
INTO agent survey: International student mobility becoming more diverse and more accessible to students than ever before
According to INTO 's 2023 global survey, global education agents expect a surge in students moving overseas to study on campuses in the UK, the US and Australia.