EdCo LATAM Consulting recently conducted enrolment analysis using data from seven UK university partners. The analysis, which covers anonymised data from fall 2023, winter 2024, and fall 2024 enrolments, provides valuable insights into student trends from Latin America.
Whilst postgraduate study is the most popular for those from Latin American countries studying in the UK, the analysis revealed significant interest in undergraduate enrolments, with 34% of these students applying to undergraduate programs.
This trend highlights the growing importance of investing in undergraduate strategies, such as partnerships with high schools, to capture this expanding market, explained Simon Terrington, co-founder, EdCo LATAM.
“The main LatAm markets are Brazil, Mexico and Colombia, although it is worth allocating resource to developing the secondary and tertiary markets (ie Chile, Peru, Panama, Ecuador) as they are growing and becoming increasingly important,” said Terrington.
While the three key Latin American markets are still the largest, secondary and tertiary markets make up 40% of students enrolled, the analysis showed.
Elsewhere, it revealed that agent and direct recruitment channels are equally used by students, although there are differentials per market, explained Terrington.
“Whilst markets vary in whether they are agent or direct focused, agents play a key role in Latin American student recruitment and account for 50% of enrolments. Investing time in developing an engaged agent network is key to success in Latin America,” he said.
Investing time in developing an engaged agent network is key to success in Latin America
Simon Terrington, EdCo LATAM
The analysis also gave insights into the type of subjects being sought by students from the region. While undergraduate students tend to study traditional subjects, the data pointed to postgraduate students choosing more specialised areas of studies.
“The key is develop an attractive proposition for strong program areas,” said Terrington.
