Internationalisation high on the agenda for global university leaders

Facing a new era of managed international student numbers, university leaders continue to prioritise internationalisation but within the context of increasing financial pressures

Findings from the second Global Survey of International Education Leaders (GSIEL) by international management consultancy Nous Group and leading global education provider Navitas, reflect the economic instability, notable geopolitical tensions, and unprecedented restrictive government polices challenging the sector.

The latest report, Internationalisation in the midst of slowbalisation, launched by PIE News, explores the internationalisation agendas, priorities and opportunities of more than 200 senior operational and strategic leaders with responsibility for international education and global engagement at universities in Australia, the United Kingdom and Canada. It reveals how universities are responding to declines in global interconnectedness and multi-lateral cooperation, and managing the transition from a ‘market era’ to a ‘managed era’ where governments tightly control international student flows.

In this environment of persistent uncertainty, internationalisation remains a high priority for universities and a strategic imperative for leaders but is increasingly influenced by government policy and financial pressures.

Despite renewed interest in international partnerships and transnational education, international student recruitment remains the most important area of focus for international leaders. Almost nine-in-ten survey respondents (88 per cent) indicated recruitment is very important or extremely important to their internationalisation strategy.

The survey also showed international student recruitment is set to become even more competitive, with 89 per cent of respondents suggesting that recruitment will be very or extremely competitive in the next one to two years.

Nous Principal Matt Durnin said: “Pressure to compete while reducing costs will lead to new approaches to internationalisation going forward. There will be a portion of the sector that reduces its dependence on international, while others will find opportunities within the constraints of this managed era.

“There is a lot of focus on Transnational Education however the findings show that leaders are uncertain about their ability to execute successfully. It won’t be a quick fix for revenue.”

As competition intensifies, university leaders are increasingly focussed on international student revenue, with more than half expecting to increase fees in the next 1-2 years.

Navitas Chief Insights Officer Jon Chew said: “Beyond the financial pressures in the immediate term, university leaders must contend with the possibility that the shift from the market era to the managed era will continue to deliver greater levels of government intervention and control, which will in turn have important implications for strategic planning.”

This second Global Survey of International Education Leaders shows just how quickly many universities are responding to the realities of delivering on their internationalisation ambitions in an environment where the tailwinds of globalisation have been replaced by the headwinds of ‘slowbalisation’.

Download the full report here: nousgroup.com/gsiel-2025