University of East Anglia Advances International Student Strategy Through Recruitment Growth, Partnerships and Employability Programmes

Dina Zahar, Head of Partnerships at Enroly, with Prof Steven McGuire, UEA’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International.

(IN BRIEF) The University of East Anglia celebrated its international recruitment growth at its annual International Forum after winning the Growth Award at the UK Enroly Awards 2026. The award recognises strong year-on-year progress in international student recruitment, with Enroly data showing an 88% increase in acceptances for the year to September 2025 and a 222% increase for the year to January 2026, alongside major increases in CAS issuance for both intakes. Held on campus under the theme of Sustainable Recruitment, the Forum brought together UEA staff, international colleagues and external partners to discuss global engagement, partnerships, student mobility, recruitment pressures and employability. Senior UEA leaders, including Prof Steven McGuire, Dr Vivien Easson and Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire, highlighted the collective effort behind the University’s international progress. The event also featured contributions from Universities UK International and Enroly, addressing visa rules, applicant behaviour, compliance and growing global competition. UEA also marked new partnerships with Twin Group and Impact Consulting to launch career-focused two-year postgraduate degrees with industry placement options, strengthening the University’s focus on employability and global student outcomes.

(PRESS RELEASE) NORWICH, 4-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The University of East Anglia has marked a major achievement in international student recruitment after receiving the Growth Award at the UK Enroly Awards 2026, with the success celebrated during UEA’s International Forum on campus.

The annual Forum, held on Wednesday, June 3, brought together colleagues from across the University, in-country UEA representatives and external partners to discuss this year’s theme of Sustainable Recruitment. The event focused on global engagement, international partnerships, student experience and the evolving challenges facing universities in a competitive recruitment environment.

One of the key moments of the day was the celebration of UEA’s recognition by Enroly, reflecting strong year-on-year growth in international recruitment. Enroly data showed an 88% increase in acceptances for the year to September 2025 and a 222% increase for the year to January 2026. The University also recorded an 82% rise in CAS issued for September and a 62% increase for January. CAS, or Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies, is required by international students when applying for a visa.

Prof Steven McGuire, UEA’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for International, welcomed the recognition and said the award reflected the hard work of colleagues across the University in raising international interest in UEA’s academic offer and wider student experience.

Dr Vivien Easson, Director of Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing, said the award represented a collective achievement across the institution. She highlighted the contributions of colleagues in Admissions, Recruitment and Marketing, academic departments, Professional Services and other University teams whose collaboration has helped strengthen international recruitment and support students arriving from around the world.

The International Forum took place at the Thomas Paine Study Centre and opened with remarks from Vice-Chancellor Prof David Maguire, who set out UEA’s international vision. Sessions throughout the day examined recruitment pressures, transnational education partnerships, student mobility, employability and the ways universities can build sustainable global engagement.

The programme also included sector insights from Jamie Arrowsmith, Director of Universities UK International, who discussed the increasingly challenging global recruitment environment. He pointed to factors such as tighter visa rules, policy changes and rising competition between countries and institutions seeking to attract international students.

Dina Zahar, Head of Partnerships at Enroly, provided a data-led view of applicant behaviour and compliance, highlighting the operational pressures faced by universities while also identifying ways to improve systems, processes and student support throughout the recruitment and admissions journey.

The Forum also marked the start of new partnerships between UEA, Twin Group and Impact Consulting. A signing took place to recognise the launch of a new range of career-focused postgraduate courses designed to combine academic study with practical industry experience.

The new Master’s programmes will be structured as two-year degrees and will include a guaranteed option for a placement year. The courses are intended to support student employability worldwide by giving postgraduate students the skills, experience and confidence needed to pursue international career opportunities.

Through the award recognition, the International Forum discussions and the launch of new partnerships, UEA highlighted its continued focus on expanding global recruitment, strengthening student support and developing international pathways that connect academic learning with career outcomes.

Media Contact:

communications@uea.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of East Anglia