The number of students studying abroad as part of their Australian degree has quadrupled in a decade to more than 30,000 in 2014, new research from IEAA shows. Meanwhile, a separate survey by Prospect Research and Marketing indicates students’ understanding of and awareness of study abroad is rising.
The research, carried out by IEAA and commissioned by Universities Australia, shows a total of 31,846 Australian students took part in some form of study abroad in 2014, including semester or year- long exchanges, faculty-led study tours, internships, research-led activities, summer/winter programs at a host university and volunteering/community engagement.
“This expansion shows students are increasingly aware of the huge benefits for their education and career prospects”
The US was the most popular study destination, drawing 15.4% of students, followed by China (9.2%) and the UK (8.8%).
The rate of participation in study abroad at the undergraduate level has also increased in recent years, with 16.5% of the 2014 graduating domestic undergraduate cohort (18,736 students) having studied abroad – up from 12.3% in 2011.
Exchange programme at partner universities were the most popular option for undergraduates, accounting for a third of study abroad trips, followed by faculty-led tours and then internships and other practical placements.
Though a semester or more abroad remains the “central model” for overseas study at most universities, the report notes that “learning abroad models are evolving with more institutions broadening their offering”.
In particular, participation in short-term study abroad is growing, and accounted for more than half (56%) of all the students who studied abroad in 2014.
It is not only universities themselves that offer students the opportunity to go abroad, however. The report notes that growing demand for overseas study has led to the establishment of several learning abroad providers that “generally focus on program modes and destinations that are not well supported by universities, such as short-term programs, internships and volunteering”.
More than 1,200 students undertook a study abroad placement through the leading private providers in 2015, the report states, but adds that this figure “likely… underestimates actual learning abroad provider activity”, particularly in internships and volunteering.
“This expansion in the number of students taking up overseas study opportunities shows students are increasingly aware of the huge benefits for their education and career prospects,” commented Universities Australia’s chief executive, Belinda Robinson.
“Students going overseas to study gain valuable life skills, and build strong networks that will enable them to build forge international careers,” she said.
Meanwhile, a second study carried out by Rob Lawrence of Prospect Research and Marketing used qualitative research to determine that “the understanding of mobility per se now appears significantly more informed” than in previous years.
The research study comprised of a survey of 8,663 university students, of whom 1,885 had completed a study abroad placement (1,708 Australian students, 44 Australian permanent resident students and 133 international students) and a series of focus groups.
Comparing the results to the firm’s previous study in 2013, which found that “mobility tended to be couched in such terms as study abroad and exchange”, the 2016 results indicated that “students now talk of mobility programmes, using the mobility imprimatur”.
“There is considerable awareness of what a mobility programme entails and a highly informed understanding of the entire concept of student mobility”
The deliberateness of choice when it comes to deciding where to study demonstrated “a high level of maturity”, with “strong evidence” to suggest that students are making well-informed decisions about their course of study.
“Several participants selected their university and course because of such features as industry connections, mobility opportunities, industry-based learning and access to extra-curricular activities,” the report states.
The report identifies three ‘genres’ of response to questioning about the criteria they used to decide where to study: multiculturalism in Australia; previous travel experience; and the association of a particular country with an area of interest or study, such as culture, climate or topography.
‘Interest in travel’ was the biggest motiving factor for students from Australia and the APR (47% and 37% respectively). However, for international students at Australian universities, the top reason for wanting to study abroad was to experience a different education system – 38%, compared with just 19% of Australian students.
‘Learn about another culture’ was the second most popular answer among all student groups, cited by 32% of Australian and APR students and 36% of international students; along with ‘strengthen my degree’ (32%, 33% and 30% respectively).
The top three outcomes students hoped to achieve through their study abroad experience were to ‘successfully challenge myself’, ‘explore another country’ and ‘access to different ways of thinking’.
