The i-graduate ICEF Agent Barometer 2017 North America€¦ · What subject area were the students you sent abroad in the last year looking for? (prompted if ‘University: Undergraduate’

© i-graduate confidential 2017 1


The i-graduate ICEFAgent Barometer 2017

North America

The i-graduate ICEF Agent Barometer


Online survey developed in partnership by i-graduate & ICEF

Established in 2007, the ICEF Agent Barometer has tracked the opinions of agents across the world for 10 years

The 2017 study ran during September - October

Overall 1,456 agents responded from 107 countries

Survey: Incentives

First prize: An Apple iPad

The next 100 runners up will receive a free Agent Training course.


Today’s Focus


Agent Profile

Scope of Activity &

Placements

Higher Education

Mobility Concerns

Marketing

Best Study Destination


Agent Profile 2017:Profile of Respondents

Summary of agent demographics

1,456 agents responded from 107 countries

IndiaNepalBrazilNigeriaCanadaVietnamRussian FederationPakistanTurkeyAustraliaChinaColombiaSpainUkraineItalyMexicoUK


Approximately how many institutions does your company represent?

Institutions represented

1 2-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50 51-60 61-70 71-80 81-90 91-100 More than 1000

50

100

150

200

250

300

13

280

213

147

107 101

76

43

2315

30

274


Base no: 1,322

Growth in the number representing 2 - 20 institutions

How many students have you sent in the last 12 months?

Total students placed

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

8% 8% 8% 6% 5%

18% 20%

8%

4% 3%

7%

3%1%

Base no: 1,116


+2% +1%+2%

Contracts with institutions

Do you have contracts in place with the institutions you work with?

70,27 %

23,76 %

3,30 % 2,67 %

Yes, always

Yes, sometimes

No

Don't know


Base no: 787


Scope of Agent Activity

What services does your company provide to students as clients?

Student services (Top 10)

Health insurance

Pre-departure briefing

Airport pick-up

Career counselling

Interviews

Accommodation – on-campus residence

Promotional materials

Visa processing

Program applications

Program selection counselling

50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

69%

71%

73%

73%

73%

75%

82%

84%

85%

88%


Base no: 903

For which programmes do you recruit students?

Programme levels

Other

University: Distance Education/Online Learning

Work & Travel/Study Programmes

Vocational Diploma/Further Education

Secondary and High School

Certificate/Foundation

Pre-Masters/Postgraduate Qualifying Programmes (PQP)

University: Foundation

Pathway Programmes

Diploma

MBA Programmes

English Language Programmes

University: Graduate/Postgraduate

University: Undergraduate

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

10%

20%

34%

48%

49%

51%

54%

62%

62%

63%

67%

74%

76%

79%


Base no: 1,401

What subject area were the students you sent abroad in the last year looking for? (prompted if ‘University: Undergraduate’ or ‘University: Graduate/Postgraduate’ selected in ‘How many students have you sent in the last 12 months’)

Subject areas of interest

Other

Natural Sciences

Media-related studies

Social Sciences

Medicine/Healthcare

Hospitality/Tourism

Computer Sciences

Engineering

Business-related studies

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

19%

28%

36%

41%

58%

66%

77%

79%

94%


Base no: 890

Types of Language Programmes


Base no: 796

TOIEC preparation

Other

Language for teachers

Language for High School

Group study tour

Cambridge exams preparation

Language plus another subject

TOEFL preparation

Business/Professional language

IELTS preparation

Language for academic purposes

General language

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80% 85%

5%

5%

13%

15%

16%

19%

16%

28%

43%

57%

65%

79%

3%

4%

10%

12%

16%

17%

18%

24%

41%

56%

59%

79%

2016 (638) 2017 (796)

What types of language programmes do you place students in?


Number of students placed in last 12 months

University: Distance Education/Online Learning

Pre-Masters/Postgraduate Qualifying Programme (PQP)

Certificate/Foundation

University: Foundation

Vocational Diploma/Further Education

Pathway Programmes

Secondary and High School

MBA Programmes

Diploma

Work & Travel/Study Programmes

University: Undergraduate

University: Graduate/Postgraduate

English Language Programmes

0 10.00020.00030.00040.00050.00060.00070.00080.00090.000100.000

687

6.211

7.455

8.579

9.353

9.687

10.969

14.063

14.689

26.445

31.241

35.894

86.988


Base no: 1,116

Number of students placed in the last 12 months:trend data



Number of placements

2017 (1116) 2016 (897) 2015 (1358) 2014 (912) 2013 (995) 2012 (776)

Total 224,219 207,727 297,488 360,065 328,877 237,734

Schools 10,969 11,436 16,202 39,419 26,523 12,500

Vocational Education 9,353 9,728 9,546 16,259 15,978 15,646

Foundation 8,579 6,540 8,811 16,080 11,189 12,489

Undergraduate 31,241 23,812 32,692 42,923 31,575 33,347

Graduate/Postgraduate 35,894 26,720 40,386 46,461 35,879 31,895

MBA Programmes 14,063 9,580 11,678 13,209 21,835 8,031

Work & Travel / Study 26,445 n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a

Language Courses 86,988 109,639 148,690 145,115 161,402 104,530

Distance education/Online learning 687 895 1,505 1,165 12,780 No data

17

Ireland

New Zealand

United Kingdom

EU (excluding UK, Ireland)

USA

Australia

Canada

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

16%

24%

49%

55%

53%

44%

47%

17%

24%

42%

46%

47%

44%

49%

11%

20%

32%

42%

45%

50%

52%

2015

2016

2017

In which countries do you place students for the following programme levels? (all programme levels)

Where are agents sending students?

In which countries do you place students for Language courses?

Spain

France

Germany

Malta

New Zealand

Ireland

Australia

UK

Canada

USA

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

43%

51%

56%

Malta; 0%

49%

54%

68%

79%

67%

73%

43%

49%

59%

Malta; 0%

51%

54%

67%

79%

70%

77%

21%

25%

27%

34%

35%

37%

59%

70%

62%

70%

16%

20%

23%

30%

34%

36%

58%

64%

61%

65%

17%

18%

26%

29%

32%

34%

57%

63%

63%

64%

2013 (591)2014 (511)2015 (1072)2016 (686)2017 (827)

Placing students in countries – Language courses: Top 10


In which countries do you place students for Secondary and High School?

Placing students in countries – Secondary and High School: Top 10

Spain

France

Switzerland

Ireland

Germany

New Zealand

Australia

UK

USA

Canada

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%

22%

27%

29%

34%

28%

42%

49%

67%

73%

70%

19%

26%

29%

29%

31%

41%

50%

70%

77%

67%

10%

10%

11%

14%

14%

23%

41%

54%

56%

57%

7%

13%

9%

17%

14%

26%

33%

46%

53%

63%

6%

9%

10%

15%

15%

20%

36%

50%

53%

64%

2013 (319)2014 (303)2015 (522)2016 (415)2017 (496)


In which countries do you place students for Vocational Diploma/Further Education?

Placing students in countries – Vocational Diploma/Further Education: Top 10

Italy

Malaysia

Switzerland

Ireland

Singapore

UK

New Zealand

USA

Canada

Australia

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120%

23%

27%

29%

40%

32%

79%

67%

61%

82%

98%

16%

20%

26%

29%

24%

56%

58%

47%

66%

76%

5%

11%

8%

11%

10%

38%

34%

37%

50%

62%

5%

7%

7%

12%

9%

28%

32%

32%

49%

62%

3%

4%

5%

6%

6%

26%

28%

29%

48%

64%

2013 (230)2014 (238)2015 (590)2016 (346)2017 (478)


In which countries do you place students for University: Undergraduate?

Placing students in countries – University: Undergraduate: Top 10

Spain

Switzerland

Malaysia

Ireland

Germany

New Zealand

UK

Australia

USA

Canada

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

23%

28%

25%

33%

29%

45%

74%

65%

72%

67%

21%

30%

26%

31%

38%

49%

75%

66%

76%

71%

9%

13%

15%

15%

18%

29%

56%

51%

62%

55%

8%

10%

14%

15%

18%

30%

49%

54%

57%

59%

11%

11%

13%

13%

21%

28%

51%

54%

59%

61%

2013 (563)2014 (517)2015 (970)2016 (648)2017 (864)


In which countries do you place students for University: Graduate/Postgraduate?

Placing students in countries – University: Graduate/Postgraduate: Top 10

Italy

Malaysia

France

Ireland

Germany

New Zealand

UK

Australia

USA

Canada

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

17%

20%

22%

31%

28%

45%

74%

66%

70%

61%

19%

21%

21%

28%

36%

45%

73%

62%

73%

65%

9%

11%

12%

14%

18%

28%

54%

53%

60%

49%

7%

12%

9%

15%

16%

28%

47%

53%

56%

55%

9%

10%

10%

13%

21%

27%

50%

55%

57%

59%

2013 (538)2014 (513)2015 (843)2016 (565)2017 (822)




How many students do agents expect to place in the next 12

months?

How many students do you expect to place in next 12 months – by programme


In the coming 12 months do you expect to send:

Certificate/Foundation (496)

Pre-Masters/Postgraduate Qualifying Programme (PQP) (531)

Secondary and High School (510)

University: Distance Education/Online Learning (183)

University: Foundation (632)

Vocational Diploma/Further Education (467)

English Language Program (817)

Work & Travel/Study Program (343)

Pathway Program (602)

Diploma (653)

University: Undergraduate (843)

MBA Program (715)

University: Graduate/Postgraduate (811)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

68%

72%

73%

74%

75%

76%

76%

76%

77%

78%

84%

84%

85%

24%

23%

22%

17%

20%

19%

19%

19%

19%

17%

13%

13%

13%

8%

5%

5%

8%

5%

5%

5%

5%

4%

4%

3%

3%

2%

More The same Less

How many students expect to place in next 12 months – Traditional markets

25

United States of America (67)

Canada (347)

Australia (210)

United Kingdom of Great Britain & Northern Ireland (123)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

60%

82%

69%

71%

33%

14%

25%

27%

7%

4%

6%

2%

More The same Less

In the coming 12 months do you expect to send:


Distance Education / Online Learning

How large is the share of students in your agency interested in online learning?


Base no: 983

0%-5%

5%-10%

10%-20%

20%-30%

>30%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

76%

15%

5%

2%

2%

If there is interest from your students can you tell us if the prospective student is more interested than the parent/guardian?


Base no: 967

52,12 %

36,71 %

11,17 %

Yes Not sure

No

Would you consider fully online study to be of more interest to Undergraduates or Postgraduates?


Base no: 954

79,45 %

20,55 %

Postgraduates

Undergraduates

Which degree levels are most interesting for online learning in your agency?

Degree levels of interest for online learning

Postgraduate research degrees (PhD, DPhil)

Foundation Degrees

Undergraduate degrees (BA, BSc, etc.)

MBA's

Postgraduate taught degrees (MA, MSc.)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%

16%

17%

21%

42%

50%


Base no: 976

+9%

Which subject areas are most interesting for online learning in your agency?

Subject areas of interest for online learning

Other

Natural Sciences

Medicine/Healthcare

Engineering

Media-related studies

Social Sciences

Hospitality/Tourism

Computer Sciences

Business-related studies

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

3%

10%

10%

21%

26%

26%

27%

35%

87%


Base no: 307

+9%

Would your business be interested in establishing agent agreements to refer prospective online students on a referral fee basis?


Base no: 936

80,39 %

7,84 %

11,76 %

Yes No Not sure


Higher Education

Higher Education: How many higher education institutions do you represent as a contracted agent?


Base no: 899

5,34 %

37,82 %

21,36 %

16,13 %

7,68 %

11,68 %

None 1-10

11-25 26-50

51-100 More than 100

Higher Education: What ONE improvement on the higher education institutional side would MOST help you recruit more students?


Base no: 896

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

30%26%

14% 12%9%

3%1%

5%

Higher Education: What is the SINGLE greatest benefit you receive by representing higher education universities?


Base no: 893

45,58 %

23,07 %

22,51 %

6,83 %

2,02 %

Raises awareness and prestige of our agency

Diversifies our own business portfolio

Top preference of our students

Generates more revenue

Other


Student Mobility Concerns / Difficulties

in 2017

What are the main concerns/questions/complaints students and parents have?

Main concerns/questions/complaints – BEFORE departing

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

60%

52%46% 44%

26% 26%

16%12%


Base no: 703

Diffic

ulty w

ith la

ngua

ge

Finan

cial d

ifficu

lties

Diffic

ulty with ac

comm

odati

on

Person

al sa

fety

Diffic

ulty w

ith th

e progra

mme

Cultu

ral di

fficult

ies

Diffic

ulty w

ith te

achin

g staf

f0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

60%

52%

46%44%

26% 26%

16%31%

38%

52%

25%

38%

57%

32%

What are the main concerns/questions/complaints students and parents have?

Main concerns/questions/complaints – BEFORE AND AFTER departing


Base no: 653

Student mobility concerns (inner circle 2017 vs outer circle 2016)

Have you experienced any student mobility concerns/difficulties in 2017? (Note: This would include study visa, work visa, financial, insurance, accreditation, global economic situation, global political situation and safety concerns/difficulties)

42,64 %

57,36 %

25,35 %

74,65 %

Yes No


Base no: 863

Which student mobility concerns/difficulties did you encounter in 2017?

Student mobility concerns

Other

Insurance

Accreditation

Work visa

Safety

Global Economic Situation

Global Political Situation

Financial

Study visa

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80%

7%

6%

8%

17%

25%

41%

30%

48%

74%

3%

6%

11%

22%

26%

32%

35%

38%

71%

2016 (172) 2017 (363)


Base no: 368

In which countries did you experience these concerns/difficulties (Global Political situation)?

Global Political Situation

The NetherlandsIndonesia

J apanThailand

SingaporeSouth KoreaPhilippinesSouth Africa

ChinaUAE

SwitzerlandMalta

ItalySpain

MalaysiaNew Zealand

IndiaRussia

AustraliaCanadaIrelandFrance

GermanyUnited Kingdom

USA

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% 55% 60% 65% 70% 75% 80%

0%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

2%

3%

3%

3%

3%

4%

4%

5%

5%

7%

7%

9%

9%

10%

12%

15%

48%

76%

2017 (104)


Base no: 125


Marketing

Please tell us how important the following criteria are (or could be) in terms of marketing for institutions:

Marketing for institutions (top 10)

Agent training workshops organised in the destination country (736)

Regular visits by you and/or your staff to the education institution (739)

Agent training courses via the internet (735)

Having guaranteed entry to specific education institution programmes (703)

Availability of an online application service (740)

Financial support schemes, including scholarship/bursary schemes (732)

Participation in an Agent Incentive scheme (726)

Prompt payment of commissions (736)

Agent manual with fees and information (743)

Quick response times to enquiries and applications and regular communication updates (743)

80% 85% 90% 95%

84%

85%

85%

85%

86%

86%

87%

89%

90%

92%



Marketing – Promotional materials and campaigns

Regular e-newsletters or e-zines sent to students (726)

Editorial or Advertorial in local newspapers or magazines (716)

Giveaways (e.g. pens, keyrings, mouse pads, etc.) (739)

Institution profiles on commercial websites/websites available in your native languages (729)

School/College profiles in your own agency brochure or handbook (732)

Individual institution brochures in English and your own language (763)

Marketing and visits to local schools/colleges (754)

Participation in education exhibitions in your country (754)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

6%

7%

9%

6%

6%

7%

6%

6%

22%

26%

23%

26%

11%

11%

6%

9%

50%

43%

44%

42%

47%

45%

47%

42%

22%

24%

24%

26%

35%

36%

41%

43%

Very important Important Unimportant Very unimportant



Marketing – Packages and Offers

Making packaged offers which include English language/ELICOS plus institution entry (683)

An online application form which guarantees me VIP service (702)

Having guaranteed entry to specific education institution programmes (703)

24 hour turnaround on admissions documents (738)

Financial support schemes, including scholarship/bursary schemes (732)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

8%

7%

9%

10%

8%

12%

14%

6%

7%

6%

44%

36%

39%

35%

30%

36%

43%

46%

47%

56%




Marketing – People and Staff

Authority from institution for you to sign letters of offer (699)

Marketing and Recruitment staff who speak the local language (732)

Regular visits to your office(s) by representatives (745)

A local representative office to provide support to your recruitment activities (738)

Student leads provided to you by institutions (707)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

9%

10%

9%

10%

7%

27%

31%

17%

19%

9%

39%

32%

43%

33%

43%

25%

27%

30%

38%

40%




Marketing – Services

Regular visits by you and/or your staff to the education institution (739)

Agent training courses via the internet (735)

Participation in an Agent Incentive scheme (726)

Availability of an online application service (740)

Agent training workshops organised in the destination country (736)

Agent manual with fees and information (743)

Prompt payment of commissions (736)

Quick response times to enquiries and applications and regular communication updates (743)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

6%

7%

8%

6%

7%

7%

7%

7%

9%

8%

5%

8%

9%

3%

4%

1%

46%

45%

40%

36%

38%

34%

32%

24%

39%

40%

47%

50%

46%

56%

57%

68%




Which Country is Best…?by type of study

Country Rank 2017

Rank 2016

Rank 2015

Rank 2014

Rank 2013

Rank 2012

Rank 2011

Rank 2010

United Kingdom 1 1 1 2 2 1 1 1Australia 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 3Canada =2 3 3 4 5 4 4 4USA 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 2

Which study destination is best for language courses?

Best study destination for English language courses

United Kingdom; 29,62 %

Australia; 21,83 %Canada; 21,83 %

USA; 14,66 %

Ireland; 2,44 %

Other; 9,62 %

Language courses (655)


Country Rank 2017

Rank 2016

Rank 2015

Rank 2014

Rank 2013

Rank 2012

Rank 2011

Rank 2010

Canada 1 1 1 2 3 4 5 5USA 2 3 3 1 1 2 3 2United Kingdom 3 2 2 4 3 1 1 1Australia 4 4 4 3 2 3 2 3New Zealand 5 5 5 5 5 5 4 4

Which study destination is best for Secondary and high schools?

Best study destination for Secondary and high schools

Canada; 34,81 %

USA; 20,81 %


Australia; 11,60 %

New Zealand; 5,52 %

Other; 11,79 %

Secondary and High School (543)


Country Rank 2017

Rank 2016

Rank 2015

Rank 2014

Rank 2013

Rank 2012

Rank 2011

Rank 2010

Canada 1 2 2 2 2 3 2 3Australia 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1USA 3 3 4 3 6 5 5 4United Kingdom 4 4 3 4 3 2 2 2New Zealand 5 5 5 3 3 4 4 5

Which study destination is best for Vocational Diploma/Further Education?

Best study destination for Vocational Diploma/Further Education

Canada; 32,95 %

Australia; 28,29 %

USA; 9,50 %


New Zealand; 3,88 %

Other; 16,47 %

Vocational diploma / Further education (516)


Which study destination is best for Undergraduate Study (University)?

Best study destination for Undergraduate Study (University)

Canada; 24,96 %

USA; 22,56 %

Australia; 19,55 %


Germany; 3,91 %

Other; 16,09 %

University: Undergraduate (665)


CountryRank 2017

Rank 2016

Rank 2015

Rank 2014

Rank 2013

Rank 2012

Rank 2011

Rank 2010

Canada 1 2 2 3 4 4 4 3USA 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1Australia 3 3 3 2 1 2 3 4United Kingdom 4 4 4 3 3 2 2 2

Which study destination is best for Graduate/Postgraduate Study?

Best study destination for Graduate/Postgraduate Study (University)

Canada; 26,33 %

USA; 21,51 %Australia; 21,34 %


Other; 15,32 %

University: Graduate/ Postgraduate (581)


Country Rank 2017

Rank 2016

Rank 2015

Rank 2014

Rank 2013

Rank 2012

Rank 2011

Rank 2010

Canada 1 2 2 4 4 4 4 3 USA 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Australia 3 3 4 2 2 3 3 4United Kingdom 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 2

Which study destination is best for MBA Programmes?

Best study destination for MBA Programmes

USA; 31,27 %



Other; 12,00 %

University: MBA (550)


Country Rank 2017

Rank 2016

Rank 2015

Rank 2014

Rank 2013

Rank 2012

Rank 2011

Rank 2010

USA 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Australia 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Canada 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4United Kingdom 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

USA 41% in 2016

Which study destination is best for Work & Travel Programmes?

Best study destination for Work & Travel / Study Programmes

USA; 27,03 %



Ireland; 5,41 %

Other; 13,51 %

University: Work & Travel / Study Programmes (481)


Country Rank 2017

USA 1Australia 2Canada 3United Kingdom 4Ireland 5

Which study destination is best for Certificate/Foundation?

Canada; 28,71 %

Australia; 22,29 %United Kingdom; 18,67 %

USA; 12,05 %

Other; 18,27 %

Certificate/Foundation (498)

Best study destination for Certificate/Foundation


Country Rank 2017

Rank 2016

Rank 2015

Rank 2014

Canada 1 2 3 3Australia 2 1 1 2United Kingdom 3 3 2 5USA 4 4 4 1

Thank you for listening!

These slides will be posted on the ICEF Miami 2018 event page, under ‘seminar programme’ in a few weeks’ time. We will also include links to all

the slides from all of the sessions in the Thank You email going out in a couple of weeks.

Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions – [email protected]

58

Documents

The i-graduate ICEF Agent Barometer 2017 North America€¦ · What subject area were the students you sent abroad in the last year looking for? (prompted if ‘University: Undergraduate’