According to the ISC Research whitepaper released last month, the international school market is growing. In the last 5 years, the number of schools has increased by 8% and the number of students attending by 10%. This equates to a rise in fee income of over $9 billion globally.[i]
It is a massive industry where students study in English or bilingually within their own countries. As of January 2024, the international schools market consists of 14,010 schools serving 6.9 million students. These schools employ 646,645 teachers and generate an annual tuition fee income of more than 60.9 billion USD.[ii]
Schools are popping up and expanding all over the world and there is a real rise in the middle-class international school offering.
Why are they on the rise?
There are several reasons they are on the rise. The two biggest of which are government sponsorship and the rise of the middle class.
Governments in developing countries support the expansion of these schools – and their access to families from abroad “as a solution to quickly improving K-12 education offerings”. [iii]
The rise of the middle class means that more families can afford private schooling, and education is considered a priority investment by these families. They want to increase their child’s future chances of success. As such, English as the primary learning language has also seen demand increase, with a lack of alternative education options that offer globally recognised qualifications. [iv]
These middle-class parents are all looking for ways for their children to attend top universities worldwide. While domestic school students may need to submit qualifications or transcripts translated by third parties when applying to international higher education, English-medium school curricula mean families avoid an extra administrative and costly process.[v]
The teaching and learning approach, exit examinations, and leaving certificates offered by international schools are commonly accepted by the majority of the world’s higher education institutions, including the highest-ranked universities and most multinational companies.[vi]
As would be expected, in this quest to get offspring into Cambridge or Harvard, overseas campuses of British independent schools were at the premium end of a growing for-profit international school market. [vii]
Overall, international schools are growing because of the rise of the middle class and the premium opportunities they seek for higher education overseas.
What does this mean in Australia?
For the Australian school sector, it simply decreases the pool. As students can study in English in their home country with an international curriculum and native-speaking teachers, they no longer need to go overseas to find this opportunity. This means that Australian schools that will do well will be the ones that provide a uniquely Australian or quality offering and not just a high school education in English.
For Australian higher-education providers questioned for this article, they have not seen a significant rise in overseas applicants from international schools. As noted in the Middle East, most of these parents are keen for their children to attend Ivy League or Oxbridge schools. Thus, the Group of 8 may be the sole beneficiary of a rise in applications from international school graduates.
What are the opportunities?
All is not lost. As with every change, there is opportunity to be found. The opportunities for Australian high schools come for those that can adapt their curriculum and their offerings to meet this new international need and who work with quality international schools overseas.
Australia high schools need to consider more multilingual opportunities for students coming from overseas. As mentioned in a the Koala News late last year, Australia is behind the rest of the world in valuing multilingual education opportunities. If student can get these opportunities to maintain their first language and study in English, the Australian context of safety, quality in education and access to top rated higher-education opportunities becomes more appealing.
Likewise, schools that deliver the IB or other international qualifications can also fulfill this need for diversified opportunities. While the Australian high school education system is well-regarded, it is not regarded as being particularly international. The IB is well regarded around the world but is not offered broadly in Australia. The IB is international and seen as an opportunity for middle-class students to get access to first class educational opportunities.[viii]
Partnerships: Australian high schools and universities need to seek out more partnerships with these burgeoning international schools. These partnerships could provide opportunities for international exchange s and pathways. Universities can look more favourably on and try to market to these international students.
UTS in Sydney has seen great success as it works hard to welcome both international school students and those who may not have had the opportunity to study in English.
“To some students, English as a medium of instruction recognises quality methods of English learning in their high school years. For others, it’s important that there are both English language pathways to university as well as testing mechanisms to ensure appropriate English language ability. UTS is fortunate to have both methods to prepare our students for success in their university studies, whether it be through recognition of their previous studies or through our own pathways at UTS College.” Peter Murray Head, International Student Recruitment at University of Technology
[i] ISC Research, Feb 2024. What Data Tells Us About the International Schools Market.” https://iscresearch.com/reports/data-white-paper-2024/
[ii] ISC Research, Feb 2024. What Data Tells Us About the International Schools Market.” https://iscresearch.com/reports/data-white-paper-2024/
[iii] Hogan, S Feb 21, 2024. Int’l schools market is “flourishing” – ISC report https://thepienews.com/news/intl-schools-market-is-flourishing-isc-report/
[iv] Hogan, S Feb 21, 2024. Int’l schools market is “flourishing” – ISC report https://thepienews.com/news/intl-schools-market-is-flourishing-isc-report/
[v] Stacy, V Aug 25, 2022. English-medium int’l schools market “maturing.” https://thepienews.com/news/english-medium-international-schools-market-maturing/
[vi] ISC Research, Aug 202. What makes the International Schools Market Different?
https://iscresearch.com/reports/international-school-differences/
[vii]Staton, B, Mar 5, 2023. International schools shift to new markets after China boom stalls
https://www.ft.com/content/3a415e69-4a8e-4f09-a8f6-70e331d70aaa
[viii]ACER, Feb 27, 2024. International Baccalaureate an advantage for university applicants
