In the Where Do We Go From Here? What factors influence international students' decisions? Prospective students hold the UK's universities and colleges in "the greatest respect," according to a survey co-authored by UCAS and the College Board. It further stated that as the world recovers from the pandemic, there is a "renewed interest in living and learning" in the country.

"International students apply for a focused group of disciplines, are very independent with their research, and roughly half of them study overseas to follow in their parents' footsteps," according to the survey.

In a statement, Clare Marchant, UCAS chief executive, said, "Our findings from this collaborative research with College Board focus on international students' perspectives and what they expect from their higher education experience."

While 80 percent of Nigerian respondents stated they were most interested in learning skills to help them advance in their careers, the most essential criterion for 75 percent of Indian respondents was that UK HE alternatives are of "higher quality."

To continue to motivate and enable foreign students to cross borders, the global higher education community should personalize applicants' experiences, using data that is relevant and valuable for individual countries to communicate the incredible opportunities available," Marchant noted.

Prospects after graduation are most significant to applicants to the United States (57 percent), Singapore (54 percent), and the United Kingdom (54 percent), whereas experiencing life in the nation is most essential to candidates to Italy (75 percent) and the Netherlands (72 percent).

Prospective students want to hear from current students while evaluating study alternatives, with 40% citing open days and 39% citing engagement with current students as crucial. Students are increasingly using both ways, according to the companies.

A close family member had previously studied abroad, according to 47% of respondents, implying that parental influence is important.

According to the report, more than one in ten international students are considering pursuing higher education outside of their home country before turning eleven.

"Studying abroad is a major decision, and we continue to see foreign students plan ahead of time, be deliberate about their research, and be diligent in their pursuit of meaningful results from their experience," she added.

In 2021, the College Board stated that a record number of international students took Advanced Placement tests, surpassing pre-pandemic participation by 4% to reach 84,000. Furthermore, many students sending their SAT scores to universities outside of their native country demonstrate a desire to study abroad, according to Liu.

According to Liu and Des Cutchey, general director at UCAS Overseas, more than 155,000 international students chose the UK as their destination of choice and began their studies during the pandemic.

They added, "The worldwide HE marketplace looks to have weathered the Covid storm." "However, growth has not been equal - China accounts for almost two out of every nine new international undergraduates in the UK."

Cutchey and Liu stated that UCAS is urging the next iteration of the UK's International Education Strategy to "endorse a nation-specific and action-led approach to promoting UK HE."

In 2021, seven countries accounted for more than half of all international students accepted through UCAS to study in the UK, with China accounting for two out of every nine. UCAS is used by around 75-80 percent of EU domiciled students and two-thirds of non-EU students.

"The UK will be able to broaden its foreign recruitment, thereby strengthening its position within an increasingly competitive global marketplace, by collecting nation-level intelligence as to the diverse values, motives, and interests held inside important markets," they added.

According to UCAS, the volume of international applications through UCAS might climb by 46 percent to 208,500 by 2026, representing a 27 percent increase over the 2021 cycle.

According to the survey, which included 1,300 students, seven out of ten internationally mobile students are now considering applying to multiple target countries.

Rising demand gives considerable chances for the UK to expand and diversify its classrooms; yet, markets such as the United States, China, Canada, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates face "rising competition." Cutchey and Liu made a point.

"It's time to stop thinking of 'foreign students' as a single, homogeneous group and start recognizing the importance of meeting their individual requirements." If long-term diversification is the goal, personalization must undoubtedly be the star," they concluded.