This week, I had the honour of hosting the International Student Recruitment and Retention: Challenges and Solutions event at the University of Oxford’s Blavatnik School of Government, alongside my colleagues at the Oxford Test of English. Esteemed guests from UK higher education institutions gathered to discuss the constantly evolving landscape for international student recruitment.
Participants agreed that UK universities are facing one of the most volatile and challenging periods ever. However, the appeal of student mobility – to experience academic and social life in a different country and institution – has been a constant for decades, if not centuries. International students bring diversity, cultural enrichment, and a positive economic impact to our communities, both within universities and towns. They enhance the learning experience by contributing diverse perspectives to lecture room discussions and debates.
Our keynote speaker James Brown, head of international student recruitment in undergraduate admissions at University of Oxford, emphasised that international mobility is an unstoppable and positive force that changes lives.
Students themselves greatly benefit from opening up their horizons, seeing the world from a different perspective, and sustaining alliances and networks beyond their courses. Understanding this, we delved into the role universities can play in equipping international students for success, thereby making international student recruitment more sustainable in the long-term.
Key skills for success
Dr Charles Boyle, director of professional and open access courses in the Department for Continuing Education at the University of Oxford, spoke about the skills international students need to succeed in their courses and thrive in a new environment, such as critical thinking, and the ability to synthesise information and read strategically. On the topic of academic success, Harry Anderson, deputy director of policy and global engagement at Universities UK, emphasised the importance of institutions providing coordinated and flexible support, as well as a positive student experience.
Social integration and language proficiency
English proficiency is also about social success by being able to integrate into a new community, engage in conversation with peers, build relationships, and confidently navigate procedures that may seem natural to local residents. Language proficiency contributes significantly to retention on programmes.
We heard from Thomas Snell at the University of Teesside, where English Language Café sessions are regularly held. Home students meet and chat with international students, providing information and advice about life in the UK, Middlesbrough, and at university. This helps improve their English and also develops effective communication and interpersonal skills for interacting with non-native English speakers.
Real world applicability of language skills
English language skills should not be seen as an obstacle or a test to pass. The Oxford Test of English Advanced aims to have real-world applicability and set students up for success in real-life situations. Today’s courses require debating and presentations alongside more traditional academic English skills of essay writing, reading, and text analysis.
English language skills should not be seen as an obstacle or a test to pass
It was clear from the event that universities understand the importance of the student experience, ensuring students have the necessary experiences both within the institution and the country, with a range of capabilities to be successful.
Shaping the future workforce and measuring effectiveness
We now have a unique opportunity to develop the future workforce by equipping students with the skills they will need to thrive in their careers over the next five years and beyond.
We were incredibly grateful to Edwin van Rest, CEO and co-Founder of Studyportals, for joining our panel discussion and reiterating the importance of continually measuring our effectiveness in supporting international students through a data-driven approach. At the Oxford Test of English, we are currently working with Studyportals and NAFSA on a survey to assess the impact of various challenges and opportunities worldwide.
I look forward to seeing the real-time data from this Spring intake survey and comparing it to insights from our inaugural survey launched last October, particularly regarding English proficiency as an enabler for student admissions.
We all share a commitment to supporting and equipping international students for success throughout their experience outside of their home countries and will continue to work towards a future that enhances opportunities for international learners.
About the author: Sara Pierson OBE is the global director of assessment, sales and marketing for the English Language Teaching Division at Oxford University Press. She oversees the strategy and development of OUP’s English assessment and helps shape the wider English language learning business globally. Sara has extensive experience in international education and assessment, having held leadership roles at the British Council, serving as Director Examinations for 7 years and at the Open University as Director of Global Partnerships. Sara has served as a Governor of De Montfort University and as a school governor. She was awarded an OBE in 2021 for her services to UK education and the promotion of the English language overseas.
