Refine your recruitment

Utilise the full breadth of QS expertise and insights to source high-quality international students.

Why recruiting the right international students matters

Every year, millions of students make different choices about where, how, and why they study. Patterns in demand, mobility and expectations emerge. And when you can see those shifts clearly, understand what drives them, and predict where they’re heading, you can use that insight to your advantage.

‍With QS insights, tools and expertise, you can:
- Target growth by identifying where demand for your programmes is strongest
- Diversify enrolments with insights into new regions and student segments
- Improve conversion by focusing resources on the applicants most likely to enrol

Build your best-fit recruitment strategy with QS

Bring clarity to complex markets – and build the right mix of insights, tools, and support to target, convert, and retain the students who fit your goals best.

Tailored guidance

Solve your challenges and achieve your goals with QS experts.

QS Consultancy

Grow enrolments

QS enrolment advisors support applicants from enquiry to enrolment.

QS Apply

Benchmark performance

Turn complex global datasets into clear insights to shape strategy with confidence.

QS Dashboards

Bespoke package

We can work with you to develop a student recruitment package that works for your goals.

Chat to us

Every university’s goals are different. Get in touch and our experts will help you define priorities and recommend the right next steps.

FAQs

How does QS Apply data feed into recruitment strategy?

QS Apply gives you up-to-date insights from thousands of student applications to 500+ partner institutions worldwide. You can:

Identify which markets deliver qualified applicants

Track programme demand and application trends

See how conversion rates differ by region

Because every application is vetted by QS’s central admissions team, you receive higher-quality candidates and fewer poor-fit leads. Combined with our global counsellor network and local market knowledge, QS Apply helps you diversify recruitment, target effectively, and improve enrolment outcomes.

What is the benefit of working with a student recruitment consulting partner?

Recruitment consulting partners give universities an outside perspective and tested strategies. A partner like QS can help you:

Set clear recruitment goals

Enter new markets with reliable insights

Improve ROI on marketing and recruitment spend

Instead of trial and error, you get a tailored approach that saves time, avoids wasted investment, and delivers better student outcomes.

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How do universities decide which markets to target?

Most universities don’t have the resources to go everywhere – so they use data to focus on markets with the highest potential. Key factors include:

Student demand and growth trends

How ready students are to apply and enrol

Likelihood of long-term success and retention

QS supports this with global survey data, dashboards, and in-market expertise, so universities can confidently prioritise regions and reduce the risk of over-reliance on a single market.

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What insights can QS dashboards provide about prospective students?

QS dashboards give universities access to detailed insights about prospective students worldwide. Institutions can see what motivates students to study abroad, which destinations and programmes are most in demand, and how perceptions shift over time.

By using QS dashboards, universities can track competitor benchmarks, understand market sentiment, and refine recruitment strategies to connect with the right students in the right places.

How can data improve student recruitment

Data helps universities make smarter recruitment decisions. Instead of guessing which markets to invest in, data shows where student demand is growing, what motivates applicants, and which campaigns actually convert. This means universities can:

Focus marketing spend where it works best.

Improve enquiry-to-enrolment conversion rates.

Attract students who are more likely to succeed and stay enrolled.

In short, data takes the risk out of recruitment and helps institutions grow sustainably.

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