The Data Crisis in International Education: Time for Action

International education is grappling with a critical data problem. Significant gaps exist in tracking how students are recruited, where and how they study, their performance, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes. These data shortages hinder the sector’s ability to demonstrate the true value of studying abroad, both to students and to policymakers.

Students increasingly demand clear evidence of the return on investment (ROI) from their international education, especially in terms of employability and future success. At the same time, policymakers require current and transparent data on enrolments and student outcomes to make informed decisions.

A key example of the sector’s data lag can be seen in the UK, where higher education enrolment data was released 16 months after the academic year in question. This delay undermines the timely decision-making and advocacy needed to highlight the benefits of international education. For instance, during a 2024 media briefing, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller suggested that most foreign college graduates end up in low-paying jobs—a claim difficult to dispute without solid data on international student outcomes.

Building a Better Narrative

International education leaders are calling for stronger narratives supported by robust data. Jamie Arrowsmith, director of Universities UK International, stresses the need to highlight the academic, social, and cultural contributions of international students. Dr. Fanta Aw, executive director and CEO of NAFSA, underscores that data is crucial to demonstrate the sector’s role in meeting global economic demands and addressing skills gaps. Data showing that international students founded 25% of billion-dollar US startups and 42% of major AI firms helps make this case.

Nick Miller, chief marketing officer of QA Higher Education, believes that educational institutions must link their programmes to employment outcomes, further emphasizing the need for reliable data to support this narrative. Anne Marie Graham, chief executive of UKCISA, adds that stable immigration policies are essential to sustaining international student mobility, but without clear data, policies may not fully reflect the sector’s needs.

The Role of Data in Advocacy and Policy

International education needs to be proactive in shaping policies, according to Arnold Persoon, a board member of the European Association for International Education. Effective advocacy requires collaboration within the sector to provide governments with data-driven assurances about the societal benefits of international education. Bobby Mehta, pro vice-chancellor of global engagement at the University of Portsmouth, argues that a united approach to data collection and sharing is vital to sustaining favourable policy environments.

Data also helps in countering harmful stereotypes. Professor Sarah Todd of Griffith University points out that international students are often unfairly stereotyped. Disaggregating data by factors like field of study or country of origin can debunk these misconceptions and highlight the contributions of students from diverse regions.

A Call for Action

The international education sector must take immediate steps to improve data transparency and collaboration. By working together and embracing better data collection and analysis, institutions can create a more compelling narrative about the success of international students and the global benefits of education.

Improving data practices will allow the sector to respond more effectively to shifting policy environments and societal challenges, ensuring that the value of international education is clear to all stakeholders. As Dr. Aw emphasizes, “We can never stop making the case for international education,” and data is essential to that effort.

Now is the time for institutions to examine their internal processes and begin the work of closing the data gaps that hinder the sector’s full potential.