Students have more choice than ever before – both from within their own countries as well as overseas study.

For those students paying full fees, education is a ‘luxury purchase’ and, as such, they have demanding expectations. We must ensure that we understand and are able to respond to these expectations.

Improving quality is an on-going process and we need to ensure that all aspects of the UK’s student experience deliver – from the application and visa processes; pre-departure and induction; through to the quality of experience whilst studying and living in the UK.

The UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) takes a strategic lead on identifying areas for development within the education sector, identifying and disseminating examples of best practice, piloting new ideas and researching areas for future development.

Within this remit, UKCISA has undertaken the first UK-wide survey of provision for international students in Higher Education institutions. The resultant report – Benchmarking the Provision of Services for International Students in Higher Education Institutions – and accompanying self-assessment tool allows universities to benchmark themselves against a national average on all aspects of international student support. A similar survey of FE institutions is planned for 2007 / 2008.

UKCISA also compiles examples of best practice and innovation in improving the international student experience for the UK education sector as a whole. Case studies are grouped by themes – such as orientation, employment, integration – so that staff can home in on areas of particular interest to them. The generation of case studies is supported through the Pilot Projects Awards Scheme. Institutions are invited to submit proposals for innovative projects which aim to improve the experience of international students in the UK and are then written up for dissemination to other institutions. Twelve institutions were awarded funding in 2006 / 2007 and the scheme is being repeated in 2007 / 2008.

In 2007 / 2008, funded Overseas Study Visits will aim to identify relevant aspects of policy and best practice in leading institutions in key competitor countries, providing an opportunity for individual professional development and at the same time, providing a contribution to national or sector policy.

UKCISA also works with a variety of consultants and organisations to increase the range of resources available to staff working with international students. These include a guide to the regulatory regime for international students under the age of 18, a cross-cultural training DVD, as well as the development of an on-line interactive pre-arrival tool and, working with UNIAID, an International Students Calculator. Guidebooks are also planned on running mentoring, volunteering and orientation schemes for international students.

Sectoral events help staff to share best practice and through PMI2 funding, UKCISA supports various networks, such as a residential conference for student union sabbaticals, the English UK Student Experience conference and the Association for International Student Advisers (AISA) annual conference. Specialist FE networking events are also planned.

Ongoing studies include a review of continuing professional development (CPD) opportunities for staff working with international students at all levels, as well as a study into possible kitemarking or self-assessment schemes.

Further information and copies of all reports and publications can be found in the PMI2 section of UKCISA’s website: www.ukcisa.org.uk/pmi