What Influences Today's Students?

From our young and impressionable years right through to adulthood, our decision-making is continuously swayed and influenced by external drivers, from parents and guardians, to friends and peers, the state of the economy and the political landscape, to the omnipresence of social media. This is particularly true for international students, who rely on a range of external influences to help inform their significant decision to study abroad.

In our latest research report, we use data and insights from IDP’s Emerging Futures series, as well as pulse surveys, parental surveys, and qualitative student insights to understand how influences have changed in recent months and how they could change in the coming financial year. The findings in this report will help Australian institutions to tweak and strengthen their recruitment efforts.

Key themes explored in the report include:

• How influences have changed over each IDP research report, from Emerging Futures 3 in March 2023, through to Emerging Futures: Voice of the International Student in March 2024.

• The extent to which key concerns such as government policy updates and the high cost of living have influenced international student decision-making.

• What influences the parents of international students, and whether or not these same concerns are reflected in the international cohort.

• Why students consider Australia to be a first-choice study destination despite concerns over the cost of living and government policy updates.