Page 33 - StudyTravel Magazine August 2018 Issue

TERTIARY FOCUS StUdytrAvel mAgAZIne AUgUSt 2018

Spain

The number of international students opting to study on a higher education
course in Spain is on the rise. NICOLA HANCOX talks to providers about
programme options, language delivery and the latest nationality trends.

The number of inbound international students study- New programmes and policies supporting
ing at a Spanish university or college increased by internationalisation have led to increased enrolments
24.9 per cent in 2017, according to Project Atlas, a at The University of Malaga www.uma.es/
global research initiative launched by the Institute of centrointernacionaldeespanol, says Francisco Chicano.
International Education (IIE). He confi rms that international students make up about
Indeed, the number of international students at nine per cent of the current student body.
hospitality management and culinary arts school Private university EUSA - Centro Universitario
EUHT StPOL http://santpol.edu.es/en/ in Barcelona www.eusa.es in Seville has seen international
has increased by 50 per cent over the last year, con- numbers rise from fi ve to 25 per cent in the
fi rms Giulio Contini, International Director of Marketing last academic year, confi rms Jesús Díaz Vidal,
& Admissions, mainly due to improved agent relations. International Offi ce Director. Outreach initiatives
mIUC targeting key markets and student
exchange agreements under
Erasmus+ and with US universities
have helped, as have revised degree
programme offerings which now
include ‘top-up’ options.
According to StudyPortals –
Bachelors, there are over 670
ACCESS FOR AGENTS English-taught programmes

“We have signed contracts with a wide range of professional agents to promote our available in Spain. EU Business
programmes,” confi rms Hitch Amiar at MIUC in Marbella. The university also utilises School www.euruni.edu, which
Google ads, social media and student fairs to market internationally.
The role of the agent extends beyond general sales and promotion, relates Giulio has four European campuses,
Contini at EUHT StPOL in Barcelona. “[Agents] are not merely a sales network but offers English-taught foundation,
are real partners.” He notes that the institution values their feedback regarding course
content and, when possible, involves them in any marketing strategies. bachelor’s, master’s, MBA and
Oscar Merino at EU Business School agrees, noting that in addition to generating doctoral programmes in Business
leads, advising prospective students and offering help during the application process,
agents are on-hand to offer support during marketing activities overseas. Administration, International
ESCP Madrid does not have the budget to work with agents currently, says Tania Business, Marketing, Finance
Fernández, and instead employs Admission Managers to recruit in target countries.
However, “There are other ESCP campuses that are beginning to work with agents”. and Enterprise. According to