Higher Ed Chats
December 11th, 2025
17 minutes
What’s Next for International Higher Education in 2026?
With over 20 years of industry experience, Fredrik shares his unique perspective on how the sector has evolved since he founded EMG in 2004. We explore the dramatic shifts in student behavior, expectations, and decision-making processes that are reshaping how universities recruit and engage with prospective international students.
In this episode, we tackle some of the most pressing questions facing higher education today: How are universities navigating the challenges of 2025? Does a university degree still offer meaningful value in an era of rising costs? What role is artificial intelligence playing in student recruitment, and how should institutions balance automation with human touch?
Fredrik takes us on a global tour, examining regional differences in recruitment strategies across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, while discussing the emerging importance of markets in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. We also address the critical question of whether governments are doing enough to support international student mobility.
The conversation wraps up with Fredrik's bold predictions for 2026 and beyond, offering valuable insights for educators, recruiters, and anyone invested in the future of global higher education.
Who’s in the episode?
Scott Miller is the host of Keystone Higher Ed Chats and the Executive Director of Keystone's international division, bringing over 11 years of EdTech experience to conversations about global education.
After graduating from DePauw University, living and working in different cultures showed him that stepping outside your comfort zone doesn't just broaden your horizons; it reshapes them entirely. That belief in the transformative power of international experiences brought Scott to Keystone in 2010, where he's spent over a decade (and counting) helping higher education institutions reach students worldwide.
On Keystone Higher Ed Chats, Scott speaks with thought-leaders in the industry about what he's most passionate about: how education changes lives, how cultural experiences broaden perspectives at any age, and how Keystone's mission—connecting students with their ideal higher education institution—makes those life-changing moments possible.
Timestamps & Takeaways
Timestamps
01:20
How has the international higher education industry changed since you started EMG in 2004?
03:25
What about the priorities of students and their expectations? How have those changed?
04:40
What were the most common challenges universities brought to you in 2025?
06:42
Given how much costs have risen, is there still value in a university education?
07:55
Which areas of higher education saw the most meaningful AI implementation?
09:12
How important is finding the right balance between human touch points versus automation?
10:17
What concerns do institutions have about AI? Are those concerns justified?
11:22
What are the key differences in how universities in different regions are approaching student recruitment?
12:42
Do you think governments are doing enough to support international mobility?
14:13
What role will emerging regions play in global student mobility in the next few years?
14:59
Is there a country that's surprising you with its education innovation right now?
15:51
Do you have any big predictions for 2026?
Takeaways
Industry growth and evolution. International student numbers have grown from 2 million (2004) to over 7 million (2024), with expectations to reach 8-10 million in the coming decade. Students have shifted from being agent-dependent to being independent "free movers" who research and compare programs digitally.
Student priorities. Students are increasingly ROI-driven and career-focused, demanding clear employment outcomes. They expect instant responses and faster communication throughout the recruitment cycle.
2025 challenges. Rapid policy changes in major destination countries disrupted recruitment cycles. Universities need to diversify recruitment beyond traditional source countries, and in-cycle student communication and support has become critical, not just application processing.
AI implementation. AI is being used for faster admission handling, personalized program matching, fraud detection, and documentation verification. Data privacy and compliance are significant concerns that require proper guardrails. Balance is crucial: AI for scalable, predictable questions; human touch for complex, life-changing decisions.
2026 predictions. Transnational Education (TNE) is expected to grow faster than traditional outbound study abroad programs. Destinations with stable visa policies will recover fastest. Full degrees will remain dominant (micro-credentials overhyped as replacements). Growth will be driven by young, growing populations in Africa and Asia.
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