05 Aug 2025
At this time of rapid technological advance and AI-morphed job markets, amid geo-political shifts and global economic flux, and in the face of climate change, the landscape of international education is evolving. What does this mean for Cambridge students? We recently surveyed Cambridge schools around the world, and held expert discussions with universities and education leaders, to explore how international student mobility is changing and what it means for students and universities alike.
New Destinations Survey data
Findings from our latest annual Destination Survey --those students who went to university in September 2024--reveal that Cambridge learners are focused firmly on their futures and choosing a wider range of higher education pathways. While the UK, USA, Canada and Australia remain the most common destinations for students with Cambridge International AS & A Level qualifications studying abroad, students are now considering a more varied mix of countries.
There’s also a growing interest in technology and future-focused courses in higher education, such as computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental studies, and engineering, which shows how students are considering the changing trends of the job market. Read the findings of the Destination Survey here.
Fortunately, Cambridge students are viewed as being very well prepared not only to get into the universities of their choice, but also and to “get on” whilst at university. Listen to the views of higher education experts who see our students as “well prepared” and say that “if you talk to someone who’s been in a Cambridge programme, they actually converse with you a little bit differently than other students.”
Working with UK universities
With the UK already high on the list of destinations for Cambridge students studying abroad, we wanted to better understand how UK universities can support international students. Read about the dialogue between Cambridge’s Regional Directors, UK university admissions leaders, UCAS and the Council of International Schools (CIS).
In a new LinkedIn post, Cambridge’s Kevin Ebenezer, Director, University Pathways and Progression, International Education, proposes how UK universities could tap into the pool of Cambridge International AS & A Level students, who are well-prepared with globally recognised qualifications, to diversify and enrich their international student base.
Global trends
Cambridge’s Strategic Higher Education Advisory Council (SHEAC) convened over three days in July to explore the evolving global education landscape, particularly focusing on international student mobility, policy shifts, student wellbeing, and the role of Cambridge schools worldwide. Experts at the meeting discussed how students in China, Pakistan, the US, and India, are seeing are changing where they choose to study. Read more.
The themes emerging from Cambridge’s SHEAC discussions resonate strongly with developments observed during the inaugural meeting of our Higher Education Advisory Council (HEAC) Japan, held in June at Tohoku University. This meeting brought together senior leaders from leading Japanese universities, government officials, and Cambridge experts to explore how Japan is navigating the evolving education environment and what this means for Cambridge students in terms of new opportunities.