College international surveys

International Survey Report 2026

The latest International Survey Report, published by Association of Colleges (AoC), describes the international activity of UK colleges for the 2024/25 academic year and captures some reflections on the future of international engagement within the college sector. It is our eighth annual report about the sector’s international links.

Based on college responses to the 2024/25 survey of international engagement: 

• The key drivers for colleges working internationally are to provide student mobility opportunities and to diversify college culture.  
• European partnerships are strong, as demonstrated by colleges indicating that Italy, Germany and Spain are important countries for international engagement across a range of activities. 
• There is the potential for strong sector commitment to Erasmus+ with 81% colleges surveyed indicating that they would benefit from participation.  
• Colleges work hard to maintain global partnerships as they are a central driver of effective international engagement. 
• China continues to be a key market for international engagement with 19% respondents recruiting there, more than any other country. 
• 79% of colleges that sponsor international students issue fewer than 50 CAS per year. 
• The most popular level of course offered by colleges is Level 3. Level 4 and Level 5 courses are also a key part of the offer for international students. 
• Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), business and economic subjects are popular choices for all international students, and English Language Teaching (ELT) is a key subject for short term study programmes. 
• The average college income from international recruitment of sponsored students is £506,625. 
• Colleges are important places of sanctuary and 85% reported welcoming asylum seekers and refugees.

Note: survey data varies year on year depending on which colleges respond and the level of international work they undertake.

AoC International Survey Report 2026 (academic year 2024/25)

The impact of Erasmus+ in UK FE colleges, An AoC report October 2019

A snap survey of college participation in the Erasmus+ Programme. The survey analysed the use of Erasmus+ by colleges, the difference the programme makes to the college community and mobility scenarios should the UK exit Erasmus+.

The impact of Erasmus+ in UK FE colleges, report 2019