UEA’s award for global recruitment growth celebrated at International Forum
By: Communications
The University of East Anglia’s success in growing international student recruitment has been celebrated at its International Forum.
The annual event brought colleagues together on campus to explore this year’s theme of Sustainable Recruitment and to share insights on global engagement, partnerships and student experience.
UEA’s significant growth in international student recruitment
One success celebrated on the day, held on Wednesday, June 3, was UEA winning the Growth Award at the UK Enroly Awards 2026.
The award reflects significant year-on-year growth in international student recruitment, with Enroly data showing an 88% increase in acceptances for the year to September 2025 and a 222% increase for the year to January 2026, alongside an 82% rise in CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies and which is need by students to apply for a visa) issued for September and 62% for January.
Prof Steven McGuire, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International, said: “I am absolutely delighted. This recognition from our partner Enroly is a real credit to the team at UEA who have all worked so hard to generate international interest in what we do.”
Dr Vivien Easson, Director of Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing, said: “This award reflects a truly collective effort across the University to strengthen our international recruitment and welcome more students from around the world to our campus.
“My sincere thanks go to colleagues in Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing, our academic teams, Professional Services staff and other teams across the University, whose dedication and collaboration continue to deliver an outstanding experience for our international students.”
Advancing UEA’s international vision amid a changing global landscape
Held in the Thomas Paine Study Centre, the Forum welcomed staff from across the University, alongside in-country UEA colleagues and external partners.
Opening the event, Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire set out UEA’s international vision, with sessions throughout the day focusing on recruitment challenges, transnational education partnerships, student mobility and employability.
The Forum included insights from Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International (UUKI), who outlined the challenging global landscape for recruitment. He highlighted the impact of stricter visa rules, policy changes and increasing international competition.
Dina Zahar, Head of Partnerships at Enroly, added a data-led perspective, focusing on applicant behaviour and compliance. The session underscored the operational pressures universities face, while identifying opportunities to strengthen processes and support for students throughout their journey.
New UEA partnerships deliver career-driven postgraduate degrees with industry placement
The Forum also welcomed UEA’s new partners, Twin Group and Impact Consulting, with a signing captured to mark the start of a new range of career-focused postgraduate courses.
Combining academic study with real-world industry experience to support student employability worldwide, the Master’s programmes are structured as two-year degrees and are designed to equip students with the skills, experience and confidence needed for global careers, including a guaranteed option for their placement year.
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