Beyond the top tier countries that dominate headlines and enrolment figures, many others are developing infrastructure and reputation for servicing international students whose budget or visa issuance officer can’t accommodate a “heritage” destination. Chris Parr assesses some of the emerging study hotspots.

The Peoples' Friendship University of Russia is working on a collaboration program with African universities, with the backing of the Moscow government.

Russian education agents have voiced concerns over access to US B-category visas, including for group students, while biometric requirements for other destinations are hurting visa issuance for prospective students outside of three major cities.

The Copperbelt University in Zambia has entered into a partnership with the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia, to begin offering Russian language courses.

The way the media outside of Russia talks about the country gives the impression that we are pretty closed. It's our role to be a little bit above politics and to open borders.

International students in Russia are up 40% since 2013, according to Russian deputy minister of science and higher education Marina Borovskaya.

Rates of commission being paid to education agents by language schools have been creeping upwards to the point that profitability is being threatened, according to some stakeholders.

For the 11-day module, the Russian Island event brought together over 1,000 individuals to train for the digital economy through computer-based tests, roleplaying and games.