Global education is not just about mobility, and international students aren’t just filling lecture halls. They’re training to become the engineers, nurses, researchers, and energy experts every economy desperately needs.
Through international education, universities can cultivate the next generation of skilled professionals and leaders who will drive progress and power industries worldwide.
Employment is at the forefront of students’ minds
Keystone Education Group’s data shows today’s international students want clear pathways to employability and internships. Students want practical, career-aligned skills to prepare them for success and work post-graduation.
More than half of students surveyed reported that ‘employment outcomes’ is the most important factor in choosing a university. For program selection, ‘internships and work placements’ is top at 54%.
Additionally, nearly half of students say their top motivation to attend university is to progress in their career (45%).
Institutions and governments that recognise this alignment between student ambition and the future workforce can benefit tremendously.
Impact of policy on country desirability
In healthcare, tech, engineering and green energy – sectors facing serious shortages – international graduates offer a valuable solution.
However, in several key destination countries, policy shifts risk undermining this potential.
In the US, funding cuts, tariff announcements and revoked student visas have prompted fresh concerns among prospective students.
Keystone data shows that while the US remained the most searched study destination in April 2025, student interest dipped – highlighting how responsive international students are to government policy.
In the UK, the picture is mixed. More welcoming messaging has likely fueled search interest, but 2024 policy changes, including restrictions on graduate dependents and increased visa costs, could still deter the very talent the country aims to attract.
The recent UK government whitepaper will obviously be a factor for international students considering the UK too. However, Keystone’s modelling (used by the UK Home Office last year) indicates that the plan for a modest reduction in the length of post-study work visas is the least impactful in terms of student choice. Our data allows us to rapidly track any shifts in the coming weeks and months. The role of Keystone – and our university partners – becomes all the more important in helping students understand and navigate these changes.
Meanwhile, Canada and Australia – two of the “big four” destinations – have seen a sharper drop in appeal.
Both countries introduced new limits on student migration, and Keystone data shows this has impacted sentiment. Nearly one in four students (23%) said they were discouraged from studying in Australia due to recent policy changes, while 21% said the same about Canada.
This shift is reflected in search rankings across Keystone’s platforms, which attract over 100 million unique student visitors annually.
In March 2025, both countries fell out of the top five study destinations – Canada dropped to 7th, and Australia to 15th. The decline is significant for two countries that have historically been attractive to international students and highlights the need for supportive policies.
The role of universities
Universities play a pivotal role in turning international students into workforce-ready graduates.
This begins with aligning academic offerings with labor market needs – ensuring curriculum is career-focused and supported by internships, co-ops, and placements.
Many institutions are already responding to this shift. The most competitive offer career mentoring, industry partnerships, and job preparation services to give students confidence their investment will lead to opportunity.
Institutions need to communicate clearly about available funding. If they don’t, students will assume there isn’t any
Affordability remains the most significant challenge in international recruitment. Rising tuition fees and cost-of-living expenses are narrowing the pool of financially viable applicants – especially in markets sensitive to currency fluctuations.
Today’s international students are laser-focused on value, and Keystone’s data confirms this: 84% of prospective US students express concern about affordability.
Institutions need to communicate clearly about available funding. If they don’t, students will assume there isn’t any.
Through tools like virtual fairs and program-matching platforms, institutions have more ways than ever to connect with students seeking career-focused education and to communicate their value directly with students.
Looking ahead
Skilled migration and international education are deeply intertwined. Universities are no longer just teaching students – they are educating future contributors to national economies.
To remain competitive, institutions must align education pathways with employment outcomes, support smoother transitions into local labour markets, and send a consistent message: you are welcome here, and you are needed.
- Are you interested in hearing more data and insights? Keystone Education Group will be exploring our latest surveys and student data at NAFSA 2025. Arrange to meet us at booth P1217 here
- To learn how Keystone Education Group can help boost your student numbers, please get in touch here
About the author: Saba Davenport is chief marketing officer at Keystone Education Group. She has 12+ years’ experience in higher education marketing and oversees all of Keystone’s marketing efforts. From working with universities and higher education institutions, Saba knows the ‘pain points’ institutions face inside out, and has been part of projects, including our annual State of Student Recruitment survey, which takes an in-depth look into student preferences and challenges.
About Keystone Education Group: More than 100 million students annually trust Keystone to help them pursue higher education. In turn, Keystone helps over 5,500 education institutions reach, recruit, and enrol prospective students in more than 190 countries.
Keystone also operates a range of global student recruitment services including UniQuest, Asia Exchange, Blueberry, SONOR, Edunation, and Keystone Sports. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Keystone is backed by Viking Venture and Verdane, two leading Nordic venture firms. Keystone has nearly 900 employees worldwide, with offices across the Nordics, Germany, Spain, and the UK.
