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What is the QS International Student Survey?
The QS International Student Survey (ISS) gives universities a clear, reliable view of international student expectations at the point where choices are actively made.
As the world’s largest and longest-running survey of prospective international students, it draws on over a decade of global data to help institutions understand expectations as they form, see how those expectations change over time, and then apply those insights across recruitment, strategy and student experience planning.
As the world’s largest and longest-running survey of prospective international students, it draws on over a decade of global data to help institutions understand expectations as they form, see how those expectations change over time, and then apply those insights across recruitment, strategy and student experience planning.
10+ years
of global student insight.
600,000+
prospective students surveyed in the past five years.
Global trends
Year-on-year analysis of our global survey enables in-depth change measurements.
Why the ISS matters
45% of prospective international students consider five or more universities before making a final decision (QS ISS 2025). Understanding where and why students narrow their choices is essential to staying competitive in increasingly crowded international markets.
Use QS ISS insights to see what drives student choice in your priority markets, benchmark your prospective students globally and regionally, spot expectation gaps that affect demand and conversion, and sharpen messaging using student-led insight.
Use QS ISS insights to see what drives student choice in your priority markets, benchmark your prospective students globally and regionally, spot expectation gaps that affect demand and conversion, and sharpen messaging using student-led insight.
What really shapes student choice
66%
of students prioritise teaching quality when choosing a course.
65%
associate teaching quality with a well-ranked university, but 58% link teaching quality to a high graduate employment rate.
57%
prioritise learning new skills when choosing a course for their future career.
Critical insight
Use data just like this to tailor your marketing strategies and increase effectiveness.
How to participate
Step 1
Register to participate by 16 March 2026 to take part. You’ll receive a unique survey link and ready-to-use communications to share with your applicants and enquirers.
Step 2
Receive your personalised report - QS analyses the data and delivers a tailored report benchmarking your institution with insights into your prospective student sentiment, including actionable recommendations to enable conversion.
Take part in the QS International Student Survey
Free to participate, bespoke benchmarking report included. Participation for the 2026 survey is now closed, we are now accepting participants for the 2027 survey.
FAQs
What makes the ISS different from other student surveys?
It's the world's largest and longest-running survey of prospective international students, with global coverage and year-on-year trend data you won't find in smaller studies.
Does it cost anything to participate?
No. Your participation is completely free. We provide the survey link, ready-to-use communications, and a tailored benchmarking report at no cost to you.
Can I benchmark results by region or student type?
Yes. Your customised benchmarking report can segment responses by region, study level, and other demographics, helping you refine your recruitment strategies.
What types of students take part in the ISS?
The survey captures prospective international students across all study levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programmes.