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IIE Covid-19 report: rise in applications and face-to-face plans for US universities

The Institute of International Education (IIE) has published its latest Covid-19 Snapshot Survey Series, which was completed by 414 higher education institutions (HEIs) accounting for around 44% of all international students enrolled in the 2019/20 academic year.

43% of institutions report an increase in their international student applications for the 2021/22 academic year, almost double the increase reported by institutions a year ago. However, international student applications vary by institutional type. Many doctoral universities noted application increases (59%), while many community colleges reported declines (58%). As institutions emerge from the pandemic, a majority of colleges and universities (86%) plan to offer in-person or hybrid instruction for autumn 2021, with most institutions (62%) planning to offer hybrid instruction. The IIE survey shows 2% of institutions indicated that most of their international students studied in person in spring 2021.

US institutions are considering how to increase international student mobility to their campuses in future semesters. Most U.S. higher education institutions (77%) reported funding outreach and recruitment of international students at the same levels or higher than previously. Institutions continue to use various resources for their recruitment strategies, including hosting online recruitment events (73%), working with current international students in recruitment activities (68%), and using social media (65%).

Read the full report here.